Dulux Trade is reporting a significant shift in buying behavior from trade professionals with sales of water-borne paint up and solvent-borne paints down across the total paint market in 2018. The latest market data to the end of 2018 shows a rise of 13% in the sales of water-borne paint
Teeside University has welcomed its latest flagship building, which has been completed as part of a new UK centre of excellence for biosciences set to open later this year. The new National Horizons Centre, the University’s research, teaching and training facility, was delivered by Wates Construction over a year-long build programme.
Archaeologists excavating a site in Berkshire have discovered an unusual Underground Monitoring Post (UGMP), dating back to the Cold War. The excavation, undertaken by Wessex Archaeology on behalf of Balfour Beatty as part of the Wokingham Borough Council’s Major Highways Programme, uncovered the post after an anomaly was spotted on
FIS, representative body for the £10 billion finishes and interiors sector in the UK and the Steel Construction Institute (SCI), will launch the much-awaited Technical Report ED017 – Design and Installation of Light Steel External Wall Systems guide with a consortium of industry partners. FIS and the Steel Construction Institute
Black metal ceilings are a key feature of HSBC UK’s new headquarters. Armstrong Ceiling Solutions were specified for key features in a next-generation UK headquarters building because they are the architect’s trusted brand capable of supplying a complete system. Armstrong’s B-L302 jet black custom-mesh metal planks were complemented by the
When you are investing in commercial property for your business, you need to make sure that you know what you are doing. Find out more here. The Guide To Buying Your First Commercial Property When it comes to investing in your first commercial property, there is a lot to consider.
Leading UK packaging supplier, Kite Packaging, has relaunched its custom tape offering, focusing on improved user experience through new technology as a part of the order process. The employee-owned business has also significantly expanded the range of packaging tapes that customers have available to brand. Businesses throughout the UK
Dulux Trade is reporting a significant shift in buying behavior from trade professionals with sales of water-borne paint up and solvent-borne paints down across the total paint market in 2018. The latest market data to the end of 2018 shows a rise of 13% in the sales of water-borne paint year-on-year twinned with a decline in sales of solvent-borne paints by 3%. The surge in sales reflects the significant improvements to water-borne formulations that have been achieved by the research and development teams at manufacturers, including AkzoNobel, as they identify sustainable solutions that don’t compromise on the quality of the finish. “The science and technology behind water-borne paints has come a long way in the last few years. Now, our focus is on upskilling the trade to be able to get the best out of these products when they’re on the job. Commercial specifiers and homeowners are becoming increasingly aware of the sustainable alternatives that are available to them when specifying for a project – this shift is going to continue and the trade needs to be ready,” explained Karen Wilkinson, Dulux Trade Lead at AkzoNobel. The new water-borne formulations are durable, quick drying, none (or less) yellowing, low odour and easy to clean from used brushes and equipment. The shift in market is indicative of the increasing number of specifiers making a switch to specifying water-borne paints to comply with Green Building Standards such as BREEAM, LEED and The Well Building Standard. “Our recently launched water-borne Dulux Trade Diamond Satinwood has great flow and can be applied using a range of techniques including spray, allowing trade professionals to achieve a high quality finish in a fraction of the time. It is also very durable, offering excellent stain and grease resistance, which means it is particularly beneficial for woodwork in high traffic areas such as corridors, stairways and internal doors, and is non-yellowing for long-lasting whiteness, so every job can be finished with brilliance,” added Wilkinson. “We expect sales of water-borne paints to rise again over the next twelve months as product innovation continues with new advances in formulation technology, and more and more specifiers and decorators become aware of the benefits, gaining the confidence to switch to water-borne for good,” she concluded.
Teeside University has welcomed its latest flagship building, which has been completed as part of a new UK centre of excellence for biosciences set to open later this year. The new National Horizons Centre, the University’s research, teaching and training facility, was delivered by Wates Construction over a year-long build programme. The £22.3 million building will sit at the heart of a cluster of excellence on Darlington’s Central Park alongside the National Biologics Manufacturing Centre and the University’s Centre for Professional and Executive Development. At peak construction periods, Wates’ team stood at 125 site operatives with extensive opportunities for training and employment for local people also created. On-site training has also included the contractor’s industry leading Building Futures course, which is designed to introduce local jobseekers to careers in construction. The course at the National Horizons Centre led to long-term employment for 50% of candidates with Wates and its supply chain. “The new National Horizons Centre is one of the biggest investments we have made so far. Our rich history of innovation, research and development is set to continue thanks to this state-of-the-art facility in Darlington. Just a year ago, I was stood in an empty field and we were breaking ground on this world-class biosciences research facility – and now we’re seeing the results. I’m also delighted to see that local businesses and local apprentices have benefited from the construction phase,” said Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen. “The new economy will be built on biologics and digital – key sectors we need to support. This massive £17.5million commitment of ours is testament to the importance we have placed on securing jobs for the future,” he added. A programme of fit-out works are now scheduled to take place ahead of the reveal of the new campus later this year.
Archaeologists excavating a site in Berkshire have discovered an unusual Underground Monitoring Post (UGMP), dating back to the Cold War. The excavation, undertaken by Wessex Archaeology on behalf of Balfour Beatty as part of the Wokingham Borough Council’s Major Highways Programme, uncovered the post after an anomaly was spotted on the site’s preliminary survey results. The structure, part of a national network of 1,563 strategically placed UGMPs, was built for the Royal Observer Corps (ROC) in January 1961, part of preparations for the reporting of radioactive fall-out, should a nuclear strike occur. It is relatively uncommon to uncover the posts in such a way and archaeologists were surprised to discover that the monitoring post presented a further anomaly. “It is a fantastic find, made more unusual by the fact that it was also constructed back-to-front,” explains Wessex Archaeology Senior Research Manager, Dr Bob Clarke, an expert in the field of Cold War Archaeology. “These structures were built by local firms using prescribed blueprints, which in this case was misinterpreted by the builder. We suspected that an underground room may have survived even though the surface features had been demolished in the mid-1970s. It’s an extraordinary find as many of the sites connected with the Cold War are still secret.” This spot in the landscape was used as an above-ground observation post from 1936, and as a UGMP from 1961 until closure in 1968. Within the specially equipped and reinforced underground room, three ROC Observers (all volunteers) would monitor the effects of a nuclear attack on this part of the United Kingdom. Details of the power of the explosion, height above ground and subsequent radiation were reported to the United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation (UKWMO), who, in turn predicted the results and issuing ‘Fall-Out’ warnings to the rest of the country. The site is located on the route of the Arborfield Cross Relief Road, which is part of the wider Wokingham Borough Council’s Major Highways Programme. Matthew Parkes, Project Manager on the Arborfield Cross Relief Road scheme from Balfour Beatty, who are constructing the road, said: “This historic discovery is yet another example of the great work, skill and insight of archaeologists, as well as the fine planning, attention to detail and brilliant connection and collaboration of the project team. It’s a thought-provoking experience, one which gives us the opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate how times have changed so significantly since the Cold War.” The remains of the structure will be removed prior to the construction of the relief road. In acknowledgement of this historic find and to mark its significance, Wokingham Borough Council and Balfour Beatty are planning to install a memorial stone at a date yet to be confirmed. The proposed memorial stone is to mark the location of the Observation Post, in partnership with local groups, Arborfield Local History Society, ROC Heritage Group and Arborfield and Newland Parish Council.
FIS, representative body for the £10 billion finishes and interiors sector in the UK and the Steel Construction Institute (SCI), will launch the much-awaited Technical Report ED017 – Design and Installation of Light Steel External Wall Systems guide with a consortium of industry partners. FIS and the Steel Construction Institute have been working with the FIS Steel Framing Systems (SFS) working group and industry to update guidance for the sector. “SFS is the lightweight steel frame used to create the inner leaf of an external wall, it’s been around for over 20 years but its benefits are just being realised, which is why so many projects are using it, but there are problems being created because of a lack of planning and knowledge. It’s the first thing you see, but often the last thing that’s designed in a building, and that’s the issue. This development of this guide is a great example of how the supply chain can work together to share knowledge, support training and deliver quality, we are grateful to all involved.” Joe Cilia, Technical Director at FIS. SFS is seen as non-load bearing, not holding the structure up but it is supporting cladding, internal linings insulation and perhaps even services. There are significant implications should it fail, which could lead to the external cladding falling off. The report on the collapse of the brick cladding at Oxgangs Primary School Edinburgh on 29th January 2016 highlighted that there was a failure in the correct installation of a simple element -wall ties- and although there are no direct examples of this happening where SFS has been installed, it highlights the danger of ignoring the correct installation process. , this guide will help to ensure that everybody from designers to installers are clear about what is required. Olton Bridge, 245 Warwick Road Solihull, West Midlands B92 7AH Telephone 0121 707 0077 Email info@thefis.org Website www.thefis.org The guide will spread best practice, help raise standards and educate clients and installers, and because the sector is new there are still a lot of client’s, designers and installers who will benefit from an education process driven by the document. The guide will help avoid the issues caused by last minute changes. The guide is for anyone who designs and installs SFS infill walls, and anyone checking that the products are being correctly installed, such as a ‘Clerk of Works.’ It will help to raise standards, show clients what SFS is and how it works. It will get people thinking about what is expected of them, the design and the final installation. It will give installers the confidence to question designs and provide guidance to ensure the installation is as good as it can be. The document includes check lists as well as guidance that makes people stop and check that all the information that should be provided, is provided. As the landscape post-Grenfell develops, we envisage that it will be very different from the way in which buildings are being designed and constructed now, this guide will become the go to reference for all involved. The SFS working group meeting will be held at Plaisterers’ Hall Offices, London on 16 May from 14:00–16:30. This will be followed by the launch of the much-awaited Technical Report ED017 – Design and Installation of Light Steel External Wall Systems guide. The launch event will run from 16:30-18:00. Spaces are limited and will be offered on a first come, first served basis. To register please follow this link: https://www.thefis.org/events/sfs-working-group-meeting/
Black metal ceilings are a key feature of HSBC UK’s new headquarters. Armstrong Ceiling Solutions were specified for key features in a next-generation UK headquarters building because they are the architect’s trusted brand capable of supplying a complete system. Armstrong’s B-L302 jet black custom-mesh metal planks were complemented by the manufacturer’s Bandraster grid and Axiom blind box on levels 1 and 2 of the “university” reception, marketplace (canteen) and break-out areas for HSBC UK’s new headquarters at 1 Centenary Square at Arena Central in central Birmingham. They were selected by regular Armstrong users TP Bennett architects who, while referring to the client’s design guidelines, wanted at the same time to innovate to create a new kind of headquarters for HSBC UK to focus on retail banking and training for 2,500 people. Located on nine acres of a key regeneration area for the city and the former home of Carlton TV, the 11-storey, 210,000ft2 building with three basement levels is constructed of steel frame with rainscreen cladding and houses offices, the HSBC university, a staff gym, restaurant and café, and an executive suite with catering. Extensive landscaping and external public realm works help to create a new “urban meadow” and public square at what is now known as Bank Court for developers ACDL – a joint venture between Miller Developments and Pro Vinci Asset Management. The Armstrong systems form the main feature ceiling in the university reception area and the key break-out and collaboration areas and comprise 283m2 of 1210mm x 687mm metal planks with 71% open mesh area along with 193 metres of 100mm Bandraster unslotted exposed suspension grid and 272 metres of 100mm Axiom Blind Box transitions, both also in jet black (RAL 9005). TP Bennett associate director and interior designer Francesco Tidona said: “We specified the Armstrong systems because they are a trustworthy company who are able to provide a full system which is convenient as it includes the mesh tiles and the supporting structure as well the proprietary Blind Boxes which we integrated with linear luminaires.” They were installed for main contractor GallifordTry over two months by a team of 10 from specialist sub-contractor Taylor Hart, a member of Armstrong’s national network of approved Omega installers. Managing director Phil Lewis said: “The Armstrong products were excellent, incorporating a Blind Box to allow M&E to install lights into the system in place of the Bandraster grid in various areas. The system was easily built and the colour march was of a high quality for each of the components.” More information is accessible via the Armstrong Ceilings website https://www.armstrongceilings.com/commercial/en-gb/.
When you are investing in commercial property for your business, you need to make sure that you know what you are doing. Find out more here. The Guide To Buying Your First Commercial Property When it comes to investing in your first commercial property, there is a lot to consider. This is often a really big investment and you need to make sure that you are making the right decision. There are many things to consider including your budget, due diligence and potential profit. To help you with this, we have put together a guide on buying your first commercial property. Keep reading to find out more. Figure Out Your Budget Before you even think about investing your money in commercial property, you need to know exactly how much you have to spend on the investment. You’ll find that commercial property will vary a lot in price and it ultimately comes down to the size and purpose of the space that you need. It is really important that you know how much you are going to spend on the investment before you move onto the next step. Research The Market The next step in investing in your first piece of commercial property is to do some research on the market. You should know all about the types of properties on offer and how much you should expect to pay for them. Make sure to look at trends, things that might affect the property landscape and much more. Getting Expert Help When you start viewing properties for your investment, you need to make sure that you have some professional commercial property conveyancers on hand to help you out. Your solicitor will make sure that all of the legal issues are handled and that the offer goes through and you get your keys to your new property. Make sure to ask around and find the right solicitor for this investment as this decision isn’t to be taken lightly. Make Sure You Have The Funds To invest in commercial property, you are going to need to make sure that you have the right financing in place. You might need to take a mortgage out for this property on top of your current mortgage for your home. It is a good idea to get a rough idea of the mortgage that you can take out before you even go about looking for commercial properties to invest in. With a mortgage in place, you can then make an offer and get started. Think About ROI Our final tip for those who are thinking about investing in commercial property is to consider the ROI. These types of properties tend to have a lot more potential in terms of getting a better price than what you paid for it when the time comes. Consider investing in a property that you are willing to work on as this will give you the greatest ROI. You’ll need to put a lot of effort into identifying these high-return property investment opportunities, but the results will be more than worth it. With the returns you see, you’ll get a significant amount of profit out of it, so the time investment will pay off. If you are going to invest in a property in the near future for commercial purposes, make sure to take on board all of the tips that we have given you. This way, you’ll be able to get started on making money and will be more likely to get a greater ROI in the future.
Leading UK packaging supplier, Kite Packaging, has relaunched its custom tape offering, focusing on improved user experience through new technology as a part of the order process. The employee-owned business has also significantly expanded the range of packaging tapes that customers have available to brand. Businesses throughout the UK are looking more to customised packaging that carry their brand and now customers can benefit from Kite’s custom printed tape tool – a simple, cost-effective way of personalising packaging. A key benefit of purchasing custom printed tape is the positive effect it has on brand reputation, as well as providing a further layer of security to make sure goods travel from A to B in the same condition they left the warehouse in. Kite’s new custom printed tape functionality offers a more user friendly and dynamic order process with three easy steps to create your desired customised tape and a simple reorder option for repeat order customers. Users can choose from a range of tapes, including Acrylic (PP), Hot melt (PP) and Vinyl (PVC), or for a more environmentally-friendly branded solution, customers can select gummed paper or Kraft paper tape. There are also three backdrop colours and widths available to choose from, letting customers find the right printed tape for their business. Brand building is an integral part of day to day business and packaging is often seen as an extension of the product that it contains, making it a very important element to take advantage of. With its low-cost brand awareness benefits and enhanced usability, Kite’s new custom printed tape creates a great customer experience and maintains the company’s focus on the best range at the best price. To find out more about Kite Packaging’s custom printed tape or for any other bespoke packaging enquiries, please visit kitepackaging.co.uk.
