January 23, 2026
ROCKWOOL broadens industry education offering with launch of new Training Academy

ROCKWOOL broadens industry education offering with launch of new Training Academy

ROCKWOOL UK has launched a national Training Academy for construction and building safety professionals at its West Midlands global centre of excellence for fire-stopping. The purpose-built Academy will deliver best practice learning and practical, hands-on training around the use and application of its products for construction professionals, including specifiers, installers

Read More »
Socage opens UK headquarters in Hanbury, Worcestershire

Socage opens UK headquarters in Hanbury, Worcestershire

Truck mounted cherry picker manufacturer Socage has officially announced the opening of its UK headquarters, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the British access market with a dedicated base for distribution, servicing and customer support. The new headquarters is located at Mere Green Business Village in Hanbury, Worcestershire, and began operations

Read More »
Latest Issue
Issue 337 : Feb 2026

January 23, 2026

ROCKWOOL broadens industry education offering with launch of new Training Academy

ROCKWOOL broadens industry education offering with launch of new Training Academy

ROCKWOOL UK has launched a national Training Academy for construction and building safety professionals at its West Midlands global centre of excellence for fire-stopping. The purpose-built Academy will deliver best practice learning and practical, hands-on training around the use and application of its products for construction professionals, including specifiers, installers and fire engineers, as well as estate managers from the public and private sectors. With fire-stopping courses beginning in January and further topics being added through 2026, the state-of-the-art training facility will provide industry professionals with expert-led practical sessions as well as specification and installation guidance to support high-quality building performance, compliance and safety. The one-day fire-stopping course has been flexibly designed so it can be delivered specifically to meet the attendee’s level of experience, whether they be a novice, intermediate or advanced professional. Ben Peach, Product and Technical Solutions Director at ROCKWOOL UK & Ireland, said: “Designed by ROCKWOOL’s in-house experts, the Training Academy will provide guidance and hands-on experience to help people make informed choices around building design and performance. It provides a dedicated environment to strengthen technical knowledge and develop practical experience of working with ROCKWOOL products.” Nick Wilson, Managing Director of ROCKWOOL UK & Ireland, said: “As the industry continues to adapt to the changes brought about by the Building Safety Act, ROCKWOOL is committed to supporting best practice and our education and training initiatives are key to that. We’re very pleased to deepen this commitment with the launch of the Training Academy and looking forward to welcoming partners to our flagship facility at Hams Hall.” Organisations can now register their interest in attending a course, or sign up to receive updates as new courses are introduced via the Training Academy’s online hub. To find out more about ROCKWOOL’s other education and training materials, go to https://www.rockwool.com/uk/education-and-training/training-academy/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »
Socage opens UK headquarters in Hanbury, Worcestershire

Socage opens UK headquarters in Hanbury, Worcestershire

Truck mounted cherry picker manufacturer Socage has officially announced the opening of its UK headquarters, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the British access market with a dedicated base for distribution, servicing and customer support. The new headquarters is located at Mere Green Business Village in Hanbury, Worcestershire, and began operations in January, providing a central hub for customers across England, Scotland and Wales. A strategic move into the UK access market The UK is one of Europe’s most dynamic access equipment markets, driven by strong demand from utilities, telecoms, arboriculture, facilities management and local authorities. By establishing a permanent UK presence, Socage aims to offer faster response times, improved spare parts availability and direct technical support for operators working at height. Socage UK has taken a five-year lease on an 8,303 sq ft trade counter warehouse at Mere Green Business Village. The facility is designed to support servicing operations, spare parts logistics and day-to-day customer interaction, helping minimise downtime for working fleets. Central location for nationwide coverage Located close to the M5 motorway and the wider Midlands road network, the Hanbury site offers efficient access to key regions across the UK. This positioning enables Socage to support both regional hire companies and national fleet operators with consistent service levels. Experienced leadership for the UK operation The UK business is led by managing director Craig Rooke, bringing extensive experience in the access equipment sector. The initial team will focus on service quality and technical expertise, with plans to expand as demand continues to grow. Benefits for truck mounted cherry picker operators For contractors and fleet managers, a truck mounted cherry picker is often a mission-critical asset. Machines are expected to work daily, often across multiple sites, where delays or breakdowns can directly impact project schedules and operating costs. Improved servicing and reduced downtime With a dedicated UK headquarters, Socage can now provide more responsive maintenance, inspections and repairs. Local stock of spare parts and direct technical support help reduce lead times and keep machines compliant, safe and operational. Support for rental fleets and end users The new operation serves both rental companies and end users, including organisations working in utilities, telecommunications, infrastructure maintenance and urban services. Socage’s UK presence strengthens long-term partnerships and aftersales support. A broad access equipment portfolio Socage manufactures a wide range of aerial work platforms, including vehicle-mounted platforms and spider lifts, engineered to perform in confined spaces, urban environments and demanding working conditions commonly found across the UK. The opening of Socage’s UK headquarters in Hanbury represents a strategic milestone in the company’s continued expansion across Northern Europe. By establishing a permanent base for distribution, servicing and technical support, Socage reinforces its commitment to the UK access market and to the professionals who rely on reliable, high-performance equipment every day. The new facility enables closer relationships with customers, faster response times and a more efficient aftersales structure, all of which are critical for truck mounted cherry picker operators working to tight schedules and regulatory requirements.

Read More »