June 3, 2019

BASF to Start Sale of 2.7 Billion Euros Construction Chemicals Arm

BASF SE has kicked off a sale process for its construction chemical business, which could fetch about 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion), people with knowledge of the matter said. The German company has started to contact select interested parties, a BASF representative said in response to Bloomberg queries, declining to

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Kawneer glazing helps a university library move from Brutalist to beautiful

The Templeman Library at the University of Kent features multiple Kawneer systems. A multi award-winning redevelopment of a university library has used architectural glazing systems by leading UK manufacturer Kawneer for their ability to combine aesthetics with performance and value for money. Kawneer’s aluminium AA®100 curtain walling, as zone-drained capped

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SDL GROUP TAKES TOP PRIZE AT LOCAL BUSINESS AWARDS

There is excitement in the air as Nottinghamshire-based property services company, SDL Group, were named as ‘Company of the Year’ at this year’s Nottingham Post Business Awards. The ceremony, which took place at The East Midlands Conference Centre on Wednesday 22nd May 2019, was a culmination of months of nominations

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Södra Wood named Best Timber Brand at BMJ Awards

Leading suppliers, manufacturers and merchants descended upon The Brewery, London earlier this month for one of the most hotly anticipated fixtures on the builder’s merchants’ calendar: the BMJ Industry Awards. Södra Wood had an excellent year, victorious in the Best Timber Brand category after receiving a great response in the

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Latest Issue
Issue 322 : Nov 2024

June 3, 2019

BASF to Start Sale of 2.7 Billion Euros Construction Chemicals Arm

BASF SE has kicked off a sale process for its construction chemical business, which could fetch about 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion), people with knowledge of the matter said. The German company has started to contact select interested parties, a BASF representative said in response to Bloomberg queries, declining to comment further. Carlyle Group LP and building-materials maker Standard Industries Inc. are among potential suitors considering offers for the unit, the people said.It could also attract interest from other private equity firms including Bain Capital, Cinven and KKR & Co., according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the information is private. The BASF unit generated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of 245 million euros last year on 2.4 billion euros of sales, the people said. Potential bidders may seek to value the business at around 11 times earnings, according to two of the people. BASF expanded in construction chemicals through its 2006 acquisition of a Degussa AG unit. The German company has struggled with scale as well as the complexity of the market, since local construction techniques can differ even from country to country. Consolidation in the building-materials industry has strengthened the hand of enlarged companies when negotiating with suppliers of grouts, mortars and admixtures, which are added before or after mixing cement to enhance properties like drying times and water content. BASF Chief Executive Officer Martin Brudermueller announced a strategic review of the business in October, and the company has said it aims to reach an agreement by the end of this year. Any transaction would add to the $34 billion in acquisitions of European chemical and industrial companies announced this year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. CVC Capital Partners agreed in January to sell Parex Group to Sika AG for 2.5 billion Swiss francs ($2.5 billion) including debt, valuing the French producer of construction chemicals at 12.8 times earnings. No final decisions have been made, and there’s no certainty the suitors will proceed to submit offers for the BASF business, the people said. Representatives for Bain, Carlyle, Cinven, KKR and Standard Industries declined to comment.

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Kawneer glazing helps a university library move from Brutalist to beautiful

The Templeman Library at the University of Kent features multiple Kawneer systems. A multi award-winning redevelopment of a university library has used architectural glazing systems by leading UK manufacturer Kawneer for their ability to combine aesthetics with performance and value for money. Kawneer’s aluminium AA®100 curtain walling, as zone-drained capped and mullion-drained SSG (Structurally Silicone Glazed) versions, is complemented by AA®100 concealed window vents, AA®541 top-hung casement window vents, AA®3610 vertical sliding windows and AA®3572 lift/slide doors. They were specified by regular Kawneer users Penoyre & Prasad architects for the £27 million redevelopment, involving a new extension to and refurbishment of the existing building, of the Templeman Library at the heart of the University of Kent in Canterbury. Designed by Lord Holford and constructed in three phases between 1965 and 1990, the new-look library was also constructed in three phases, with the 5,400m2 new-build completed first, and second and third phases of 12,500m2 refurbishment following. Penoyre & Prasad’s competition-winning design for the project creates a vibrant contemporary building for study, interaction and exploration, bringing together a variety of study and support spaces, versatile collection and exhibition space, and a teaching suite. Their approach was to reveal the original building’s hidden strengths by removing sections of floor structure at each level in the central core of the building to let in daylight and create views across the building, and replacing the glazing with the Kawneer curtain walling to weave the new extension and the existing building into one volume. The treatment of the external facade inverts the balance of the original Brutalist architecture of the building to create a strong and holistic contemporary architectural identity. The new north entrance was formed by glazing in a services/delivery undercroft with Kawneer curtain walling, while remodelling of the existing library included two entrance extensions, improved vertical circulation and re-glazing of the entire façade, again with Kawneer curtain walling. Penoyre & Prasad partner Suzi Winstanley said: “We specified the Kawneer products for their value for money and ability to combine aesthetics and construction quality at the price band, also their ability to achieve the performance requirements. “They are an extensive part of the façade system, helping to keep the building warm in winter and cool in summer, allowing natural ventilation to the library. A key reason for aluminium was value for money for the interior and robustness for the exterior.” She added: “The Kawneer products helped us achieve U-values for the external envelope, allowing sufficient daylight into the building whilst dealing with glare. They create a contemporary building of glass and concrete, combining the existing building with a new extension and upgraded façade. “The glazed elements allow much more daylight into the existing refurbished building and enable the concrete elements of the façade to hang lightly against the glass façade at the entrance to the existing building, inverting the weight of the brick buttresses of the existing building and creating a clear and welcoming entrance. At the junctions with new concrete, existing concrete and existing brickwork, the glazing is the glue that ties all these elements together.” The bronze anodised mesh veil of the extension façade forms a sophisticated, sustainable envelope that weaves the old and new to create a distinctive flagship building at the heart of the university campus. The new development provides a wide variety of learning and support spaces and opportunities to share knowledge through, including an open-access teaching floor with a distinctive resin-clad 250-seat lecture theatre, eight seminar rooms, group rooms, café, exhibition space and a conference catering and resource facility. Research included consultation with staff and students from a wide variety of courses, including students with disabilities, to design 1,800 individual, pair and group study spaces across informal, quiet and silent zones to suit contemporary learning styles. The redeveloped building has achieved a BREEAM “Excellent” rating, largely through the architect’s simple but elegant ventilation treatment, with Kawneer’s opening windows shielded by chain-like screens, stack effect in the double-height volume, and cross-ventilation to cool the inner spaces. Both the metal grillage and monumental external fins serve to shade what is otherwise a Kawneer glazed wall. Its complexity lies in the scale of investment and in dealing with an existing building that is pivotal to the university’s 15,000 students and needed to remain in use during construction. The Kawneer systems were installed over 15 months by a team of up to six from approved specialist sub-contractor/dealer Leay for main contractor Kier Construction. Leay’s business development manager Mike Watts said: “Hinged mesh panels were hung from the Kawneer curtain wall in front of the opening vents at varying heights to mimic the effect of icicles hanging from the roof level. The original design was to have these fixed but for cleaning strategies these had to be designed hinged to access the screen behind.” The university’s director of information services John Sotillo said: “The Templeman Library was the most impressive building on campus when the university was established in the 1960s and it is fitting that as the university celebrates its 50th anniversary we should have transformed it. “The 21st Century updated and refreshed Templeman Library has moved very significantly with the times to become an impressive modern building containing services and facilities that are equally modern, impressive and important to its current and prospective users.” The new-look Templeman Library won the 2017 Graphisoft UK BIM’s Public Sector Project of the Year award and was highly commended in the 2017 Concrete Society awards. It was also shortlisted for the 2018 AJ Specification Technology award, 2018 AJ Refurbishment over £20 million award, and 2018 AJ Retrofit Higher and Further Education award.

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SDL GROUP TAKES TOP PRIZE AT LOCAL BUSINESS AWARDS

There is excitement in the air as Nottinghamshire-based property services company, SDL Group, were named as ‘Company of the Year’ at this year’s Nottingham Post Business Awards. The ceremony, which took place at The East Midlands Conference Centre on Wednesday 22nd May 2019, was a culmination of months of nominations and judging. SDL Group had been awarded with the top prize of the night, after being recognised for its remarkable growth, creating of new jobs within the local area and smashing its £150,000 fundraising target. Paul Gratton, SDL Group CEO, said: “Everybody works really hard in delivering our services, but occasionally it is nice if someone else realises that and gives the team a pat on the back. “We had a five-year plan and we are executing against that plan and so far so good. There are more opportunities, and more growth to come.” As well as winning Company of the Year, SDL Group were also a finalist for the ‘Contribution to the Community’ category, where its work with its chosen charity The Donna Louise (a midlands-based hospice for children and young people) and Think Forward (coaching young local people in schools with the highest risk of unemployment to enable them to transition into sustained work) were commended. This award win is not the only acknowledgement the SDL Group has had in recent months. This year it has been named one of Europe’s fastest growing companies in the Financial Times FT1000, which ranks the top 1,000 European companies in terms of revenue growth – SDL Group came 454. Paul Gratton is also a regional finalist for the prestigious EY Entrepreneur of of the Year UK. The winner will be announced Thursday 20th June.

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Södra Wood named Best Timber Brand at BMJ Awards

Leading suppliers, manufacturers and merchants descended upon The Brewery, London earlier this month for one of the most hotly anticipated fixtures on the builder’s merchants’ calendar: the BMJ Industry Awards. Södra Wood had an excellent year, victorious in the Best Timber Brand category after receiving a great response in the industry voting stage. On winning the award, Södra Wood UK’s Managing Director, Simon Henry, commented: “To receive such recognition from the industry within only a couple of years of really investing in the UK market is testament to the type of business Södra is: focused on meeting industry needs, delivering sustainable timber supply and generating long-term partnerships with everyone we work with. “This award is fantastic recognition for all of the hard work and dedication of the Södra UK team. I was truly humbled at the ceremony, and I’d just like to again thank all of those who have supported Södra and voted for us. We really value the support.” The award caps off what has been a stellar 18 months for Södra. Last year, Södra celebrated its 80th anniversary and recently announced news of best-ever financial results and plans to expand its production of cross-laminated timber. Simon says this success is due, in part, to Södra’s “long-term approach.” He commented: “As a business, we’re committed to a continued focus on growth, sustainability and innovation. But central to all of that is the long-term relationships we build with the people we work with. It’s why this award is so special, because it’s voted for by those in the industry.” For more information, please visit www.sodra.uk

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