Products & Materials : Building Trade Materials News
Polypipe Building Services helps transform former London bus depot

Polypipe Building Services helps transform former London bus depot

Polypipe Building Services secured an order for more than 4,000 prefabricated drainage stacks to help transform an historic London site which is being redeveloped by Telford Homes.  Mechanical and electrical contractor I-MEX (M&E) Ltd selected Terrain FUZE Stax for the Alperton Bus Depot site, a mixed-use development in Brent comprising of three

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Actis continues seven-year LABC relationship, renewing CPD partner support

Actis continues seven-year LABC relationship, renewing CPD partner support

Actis continues seven-year relationship with LABC by renewing CPD partner support The renewal this autumn of insulation specialist Actis’ CPD partner support with LABC marks the seventh year of a relationship between the two organisations. The renewed arrangement will see Actis specification team members take part in LABC’s monthly technical

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Kilwaughter Minerals acquired by Saint-Gobain

Kilwaughter Minerals acquired by Saint-Gobain

Kilwaughter Minerals Limited is to become part of the multi-national Saint-Gobain group after they reached a binding agreement for Saint-Gobain to acquire the Northern Irish quarrying and mineral processor.  As per normal process, the acquisition has been forwarded to the Competition and Markets Authority with closing of the transaction expected

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SBTi validates Marshalls’ science-based net-zero targets in milestone moment

SBTi validates Marshalls’ science-based net-zero targets in milestone moment

Building materials specialist Marshalls has approved near and long-term science-based emissions reduction targets with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), making a bold commitment to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across all scopes by 2050. Marshalls’ near-term targets – to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by

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Latest Issue
Issue 322 : Nov 2024

Products & Materials : Building Trade Materials News

XPO Logistics and Saint-Gobain UK open new multi-functional warehouse to support customer experience in Wakefield

XPO Logistics and Saint-Gobain UK open new multi-functional warehouse to support customer experience in Wakefield

XPO, a leading provider of innovative and sustainable end-to-end logistics solutions across Europe, has opened a new warehouse site in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, with its long-term partner Saint-Gobain UK. The Wakefield Northern Distribution Centre is a dedicated operation for Saint-Gobain UK (SGUK) in the north of England and designed to operate as a multi-functional site with the customer at its heart. The centre supports multiple manufacturing operations in the North and the Midlands, providing new distribution capability for Saint-Gobain UK brands and enabling Saint-Gobain to accelerate its plans for multi-brand site deliveries for customers. Dual-branded with XPO Logistics and Saint-Gobain livery, the site operates as a multi-brand one-stop shop for warehousing, backhaul and distribution to end customers. In addition, by focusing on backhaul activity, both partners can significantly reduce carbon emissions from their logistics operations and benefit from a positive Health and Safety impact. Anika Sharma, Customer Service & Supply Chain Director, Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions UK, said: “This new site is strategically vital for us, and we are delighted to have created it in collaboration with one of our key partners, XPO Logistics. The centre strengthens our existing logistics offering and allows us to expand and explore exciting new opportunities to benefit our customers.” The site has been leased long-term and provides a strategic stock-holding location for Saint-Gobain’s manufacturing facilities, including where XPO Logistics will offer several value-added services such as accelerating consolidated product delivery across multiple Saint-Gobain brands. This will result in multiple Saint-Gobain brand products being delivered to the customer on one vehicle, as opposed to orders being received on multiple delivery vehicles, which was the case in the past. The warehouse can store 2.5m square metres of plasterboard and has 1,500 racking locations for palletised goods. The forklift trucks on site are all electric, further reducing CO2e emissions. Other warehouse innovations in the pipeline include use of ATVs, robot sweepers, a proprietary warehouse management system, and stock–taking drones. The latter development significantly impacts health and safety, thanks to the reduced need for colleagues to work at height. Dan Myers, managing director—UK and Ireland, XPO Logistics, said: “It’s great to see what our teams collectively have achieved with this new distribution centre. Working together, this facility is a significant step for Saint-Gobain’s supply chain, helping to support our partner’s sustainability agenda whilst enhancing its customer service. I want to thank the team for the seamless delivery of this project against ambitious timelines.” The eventual aim is for the site to become a fulfilment centre stocking products from across the Saint-Gobain UK brand family that can be dispatched directly to the consumer. XPO Logistics is a leading innovative supply chain company in Europe, offering end-to-end logistics solutions that combine full-truckload, less-than-truckload, pallet distribution, last-mile delivery, global freight forwarding, and warehousing services. The company tailors its solutions to the specific needs of its customers in a wide range of industrial and consumer sectors. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Polypipe Building Services helps transform former London bus depot

Polypipe Building Services helps transform former London bus depot

Polypipe Building Services secured an order for more than 4,000 prefabricated drainage stacks to help transform an historic London site which is being redeveloped by Telford Homes.  Mechanical and electrical contractor I-MEX (M&E) Ltd selected Terrain FUZE Stax for the Alperton Bus Depot site, a mixed-use development in Brent comprising of three high-rise blocks of commercial, residential, and affordable housing providing 461 homes. The development is due to be completed by June 2025. Terrain FUZE Stax significantly reduces installation times in large-scale drainage stack projects. This is because as a prefabricated solution covering the most common configurations of kitchens, bathrooms, and utility rooms, it removes the time spent on repetitive cutting and welding jobs or assembling loose components. Being available to order through distributors meant I-MEX (M&E) Ltd were able to order product and have it delivered within a month of them starting work on site. Robert Bruce, Polypipe Building Services Technical Sales Manager for London, said: “I-MEX (M&E) Ltd were looking for a versatile drainage stack, and liked the fact that Terrain FUZE Stax offers two four-way bosses on the same stack and can be used in multiple situations.  “The fast turnaround needed to keep up with the build program made Terrain FUZE Stax an ideal choice because we keep these in stock with our distributors so there’s a short lead time.  “We also worked out a complete delivery schedule with them which means their installation team can call down so many floors for delivery to site at a time through their distributor as they need them.  “The fact Stax come in two parts makes them easy to install, especially where fire collars are already fitted into the slab. Previously I-MEX (M&E) Ltd had been cutting stacks in two to fit them then fabricate them back together.  “Now they are installing Stax so quickly at a level per day that we’ve had to speed up their delivery schedule. Our Advantage team has also helped adapt the Terrain FUZE Stax being used in the bathrooms because I-MEX (M&E) Ltd needed a ring seal fitting to one of the outlets.” To give the installation team complete peace of mind Polypipe Building Services were able to conduct a site visit to check the standard of the drainage product installation and produce a report for I-MEX (M&E) Ltd to present to Telford Homes. This is increasingly being requested by responsible contractors from construction product manufacturers following the implementation of the Building Safety Act. Dan Smailes, Commercial Director Prefabrication at I-MEX (M&E) Ltd, said: “Prefabrication is at the forefront of what I-MEX (M&E) Ltd have been doing over the last seven years, and the introduction of Polypipe FUZE Stax came at the perfect time for us to be able to utilise it on this project. “We have previously worked alongside Polypipe Building Services to complete traditional prefabrication pieces on other projects using their standard drainage stacks and had adjusted them to make installation easier, but moving forward we will continue to use the two-part FUZE Stax on all our sites.” For more information about the commercial drainage products and prefabrication service at Polypipe Building Services go to www.polypipe.com/this-is-our-terrain  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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ROCKWOOL strengthens position in UK market with acquisition of Wetherby Building Systems Ltd.

ROCKWOOL strengthens position in UK market with acquisition of Wetherby Building Systems Ltd.

Denmark-based ROCKWOOL Group is pleased to announce it is acquiring Wetherby Building Systems Ltd. The acquisition marks an important milestone in ROCKWOOL’s quest to expand its façade expertise in the UK. Wetherby Building Systems Ltd, headquartered in Golborne, Greater Manchester, is a leading UK supplier for external thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS). Wetherby will become part of the ROCKWOOL Wall Systems organisation under the new designation Wetherby Wall Systems, joining counterpart organisations that include ETICS specialists HECK Wall Systems in Germany and FAST Wall Systems in Poland. Importance of the acquisition The energy efficiency of buildings plays an important role in meeting the UK’s commitment to reaching net zero by 2050. ROCKWOOL Group CEO Jes Munk Hansen states, “This acquisition underlines ROCKWOOL’s commitment to further expanding our presence in the UK market and to continuing to transform the construction sector towards sustainable and non-combustible façade solutions. The share of stone wool insulation in the Wetherby business has been growing steadily, and we will be completing this transition to a fully stone wool-based portfolio, as we have done in other markets in the past.” For Wetherby Building Systems Ltd, this acquisition is a significant step in its long-term development. The company will continue its existing partnerships with developers, customers, and suppliers. Wetherby Managing Director Bob Deane comments: “There is a long-standing relationship between Wetherby and ROCKWOOL, and the match is strong on all significant drivers, from business model and technology to company culture and values. I am convinced that inside the ROCKWOOL organisation, Wetherby will meet its full potential for wall system solutions.” The transaction does not affect ROCKWOOL’s financial expectations for 2024. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Isover becomes the first insulation manufacturer in the UK to switch to reusable pallets

Isover becomes the first insulation manufacturer in the UK to switch to reusable pallets

Isover has become the first insulation manufacturer in the UK to partner with circular economy pallet supplier, The Pallet LOOP, and switch to reusable pallets in a bid to significantly reduce pallet waste. Isover’s partnership with The Pallet LOOP follows the successful launch earlier this year with British Gypsum, who became the first building materials manufacturer to move to the circular pallet reuse scheme. Both British Gypsum and Isover sit under the umbrella of Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions. The move further supports Isover’s commitment to achieving net zero carbon by 2050, forming part of their wider sustainability roadmap which aims to minimise waste, re-use materials and tackle emissions to reduce environmental impact at every stage of build. Isover will roll out The Pallet LOOP scheme from December when the instantly identifiable, green-coloured LOOP pallets will go into circulation for insulation products manufactured in the UK. Dean O’Sullivan, Managing Director at Isover, part of Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions, said: “As a product manufacturer, our aim is to lead the way on pallet sustainability. Pallets left behind after products have been removed is problematic both from an environmental and financial perspective. By extending our partnership with The Pallet LOOP to now include our Isover product range, we hope that this is a further catalyst for change within the industry. “The scheme is very straight-forward to sign up to. As the ultimate recipients of pallets, our merchant, distributor, principal contractors, and housebuilder customers will be able to stack them up and send them back to The Pallet LOOP via an efficient collection service that operates nationwide. There will also be a PayBack of up to £4 available for every green coloured pallet put back in the LOOP. “We now hope other manufacturers, as well as our customers, will follow our lead and make a change in how we view single use pallets and the impact that reusable pallets can have on reducing waste.” Paul Lewis, CEO and Founder of The Pallet LOOP, part of BSW Group said: “We are delighted that Isover has also now chosen to partner with us to promote a culture of pallet reuse. We’ve had a great response to our circular economy pallets entering the supply chain through British Gypsum, with hundreds of thousands of green-coloured pallets already out in the market. We already have around 6,000 collection locations set up, with an increasing number of companies signing up to return pallets every week. “Isover’s decision to move to The Pallet LOOP, will boost the number of pallets entering the market even further. In turn that will create even more opportunities for the construction industry to maximise the environmental and financial benefits of our model – which is better for business and the planet.” For further information, or to register, visit The Pallet LOOP website at: www.thepalletloop.com or, email setmeup@thepalletloop.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Actis continues seven-year LABC relationship, renewing CPD partner support

Actis continues seven-year LABC relationship, renewing CPD partner support

Actis continues seven-year relationship with LABC by renewing CPD partner support The renewal this autumn of insulation specialist Actis’ CPD partner support with LABC marks the seventh year of a relationship between the two organisations. The renewed arrangement will see Actis specification team members take part in LABC’s monthly technical seminars over the coming twelve months. Key presenters include Actis regional specification managers Amaret Chahal, Jason Docherty and Elijah Peters. They will share highlights of Actis’ updated RIBA-approved Tomorrow’s Insulation Solutions for Future Homes Standards CPD with architects, specifiers, builders and building control officers, while other industry experts share information on other pertinent subjects. As in previous years, the sessions will be a mixture of regional face-to-face and online events aimed at construction professionals working across England and Wales. The roadshows, which last two hours when taking place virtually and three and a half when in real life, have provided CPD training to more than a thousand delegates over the past year. Actis UK and Ireland sales director Mark Cooper said: “We’ve been running CPD training at LABC’s popular long-running roadshows since 2018 and we’re delighted to continue to support the construction community in this way. The sessions are always informative and interesting and are also great for networking and sharing best practice.  The CPD partnership means we can continue to offer valuable advice which will help builders and specifiers comply with building regulations as we move towards net zero.” In addition to the 20-minute sessions it offers via the LABC roadshows, Actis has developed a number of full length CPD training courses including RIBA-approved modules on how to comply with changes to Part L and prepare for the Future Homes Standard – Tomorrow’s Insulation Solutions for Future Homes Standard – andAddressing the Performance Gap with Reflective Insulation . Another of its popular CPD sessions is on Proven Compliant Systems. Actis’ Hybrid range of insulation, vapour control layers and breather membranes and its two-in-one Eolis HC have been praised by users for their cleanliness, ease and speed of installation, lack of waste, lightness and ease of transportation as well as their impressive thermal performance. Their flexibility and ability to bend around corners and be squeezed into gaps means they are excellent at counteracting thermal bridging and ensuring air tightness. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Kilwaughter Minerals acquired by Saint-Gobain

Kilwaughter Minerals acquired by Saint-Gobain

Kilwaughter Minerals Limited is to become part of the multi-national Saint-Gobain group after they reached a binding agreement for Saint-Gobain to acquire the Northern Irish quarrying and mineral processor.  As per normal process, the acquisition has been forwarded to the Competition and Markets Authority with closing of the transaction expected in the first half 2025. Saint-Gobain is a global leader in the design and manufacture of solutions for the construction industry and employs 160,000 people across 76 countries globally. It has a wide-ranging portfolio of lightweight construction solutions for building facades and envelopes, with its emphasis on making buildings better for occupants and the planet. Kilwaughter has its headquarters at its limestone quarry in Larne, Northern Ireland from where it serves its construction and agriculture customers throughout the UK and Ireland, with distribution centres in Glasgow, Cork and St Helens. Known for leading brands K Rend, K Systems and Kilwaughter Lime, the company has delivered continued success in recent years, with a clear strategy centred around outstanding customer service and innovative products. To year end (April 2024), Kilwaughter generated revenues of circa £50m and has over 200 employees. Gary Wilmot, CEO of Kilwaughter Minerals said: “We’re excited with the opportunity to join the Saint-Gobain group and continue Kilwaughter’s ambitious growth journey. “Kilwaughter has a rich company culture and heritage, and our focus remains on delivering a leading customer experience, underpinned by our trusted brands. We look forward to the added synergy that Saint-Gobain will undoubtedly bring and sharing our passion for innovation, quality and excellence. “We see the alignment of the vision and values between both companies as a strong building block for our teams and customers.” As stated above, the transaction is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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SBTi validates Marshalls’ science-based net-zero targets in milestone moment

SBTi validates Marshalls’ science-based net-zero targets in milestone moment

Building materials specialist Marshalls has approved near and long-term science-based emissions reduction targets with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), making a bold commitment to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across all scopes by 2050. Marshalls’ near-term targets – to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 50.5% by 2030 and reduce absolute scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 37.5% by 2033 – have been validated, as have its long-term targets, to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by at least 90% by 2040 and reduce absolute scope 3  greenhouse gas emissions by at least 90% by 2050. The targets use 2018 as the base year. In 2019, Marshalls became one of the first businesses in its sector in the UK to commit to the SBTi programme, publishing an original set of targets which were validated in 2020.  The newly validated targets are based on a recalculation of the Marshalls group footprint following its acquisition of roofing specialist Marley in 2022. They also encompass the requirements for any net-zero target to include scope 3 emissions, as first detailed in the Net-Zero Standard of October 2021.  The new targets were submitted to the SBTi in January 2024 and validated in September. The SBTi said it commended Marshalls’ net-zero target, which it says is currently the most ambitious designation available through the SBTi process. To achieve its targets, Marshalls will work closely with its suppliers – particularly those who supply cement – to explore the technologies and innovations available to decarbonise its supply chain. The SBTi develops standards, tools and guidance which allow companies to set greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets in line with what is needed to keep global heating below catastrophic levels. Michael Edwards, Group Head of Sustainability for Marshalls, said: “This is a true landmark moment for Marshalls and one we’re very proud to be telling people about. It’s a clear demonstration of our absolute commitment to become a more sustainable business, which is something we, along with our stakeholders, take incredibly seriously. “Additionally, achieving this robust, gold standard in validation will undoubtedly go on to influence and drive our product development and innovation, ensuring we meet customer sustainability needs and remain competitive in a market increasingly focused on environmental responsibility. Meanwhile, our Environmental Product Declarations allow us to demonstrate how our commitment is manifesting itself at a product level and give our customers the power to make informed, sustainable choices. “We’re now actioning the meaningful and measurable steps required to meet our targets – a commitment that’s set in stone.” Tim Clement, Director of Social Value and Sustainability for Morgan Sindall Construction, a customer of Marshalls, said: “Knowing Marshalls has made a net-zero commitment which has now been validated by the SBTi provides us with a greater level of confidence and reassurance that we’re working with a business that is absolutely committed to doing the right thing for future generations – something that’s incredibly important to us here at Morgan Sindall Construction.” Marshalls worked with the Carbon Trust on the development and submission of its targets to the SBTi.  Samuel Lloyd, Sector Lead for Construction, Property and Infrastructure at the Carbon Trust, said: “Setting rigorous carbon reduction targets that are aligned to the latest science is a key step in any organisation’s path to net-zero. We’re pleased to have worked with Marshalls to develop these SBTi-validated targets, signalling the company’s strong commitment to accelerating its decarbonisation journey.” The work Marshalls is doing to reduce emissions is part of a larger sustainability strategy that includes continual improvements to its circularity of materials, water use and approach to responsible sourcing. Visit https://www.marshalls.co.uk/sustainability for more information. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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FSi Promat launches updated HPE sealant to support healthier work environment

FSi Promat launches updated HPE sealant to support healthier work environment

In October, FSi Promat will launch a reformulated PyroPro HPE sealant to support healthier working practices in the construction industry. As part of a company-wide initiative to reduce chemicals that could pose a risk to health, FSi Promat has modified the formula of its PyroPro HPE fire stopping sealant to help protect contractors and installers – critically, whilst maintaining its fire performance so the new formula can be used in the same applications as before. A key product in the FSi Promat range of fire stopping solutions, PyroPro HPE is a high performing sealant that is used to reinstate fire resistance for service penetrations and is approved for use around CPVC pipes (as typically used in sprinkler systems), plastic pipes, cables and non-combustible insulated pipes. In the reformulated sealant, FSi Promat has successfully removed a raw material, which had recently been re-classified as potentially carcinogenic, whilst retaining the same level of fire performance which has been verified in third-party testing; so all of its existing certification remains unchanged. As a high-pressure expansion sealant, PyroPro HPE is an intumescent sealant that can expand up to 20 times and is used to reinstate fire resistant compartments where breaches have been made to allow for service penetrations, such as pipework and cables.   Packaged in cartridges made from up to 50 percent recycled plastic, and also in foil packs, the move to reformulate the sealant is in line with FSi Promat’s commitment to make changes where possible that make their products less impactful on the environment and support improved standards in health and safety. FSi Marketing Manager Emma Taylor said: “FSi Promat prides itself on creating fire stopping solutions that are proven to perform, and wherever possible, we also want to make products that are safe for the people using them. “FSi Promat’s PyroPro HPE sealant is an important product in the marketplace as it is approved for use with CPVC, and in particular, sprinkler systems, making it a critical part of a fire protection system. “The sustainability challenge in our industry lies in making changes to established solutions such as this, whilst ensuring they still offer the performance needed to protect people and property. Changes to fire stopping formulations require extensive research and testing to ensure the product continues to perform at the highest standard. “Updating the HPE formula to remove chemicals that could cause a risk to health is a step forward and demonstrates FSi Promat’s commitment to making changes for the better, both in terms of creating a healthy working environment – and a more sustainable future.” FSi Promat is a leading manufacturer of passive fire protection products in the UK. Through a specialist research laboratory and testing facility at its headquarters in Measham, Leicestershire, FSi Promat continually develops high quality, innovative products to protect buildings across the world.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Leeds Beckett experts and Aggregate Industries reducing injury risk in the construction materials industry

Leeds Beckett experts and Aggregate Industries reducing injury risk in the construction materials industry

A groundbreaking project completed by Leeds Beckett University and Aggregate Industries UK (AIUK) is reducing the risk of injuries and increasing productivity and profitability for AIUK – as well as informing best practice around safety in the UK construction materials industry. The Safety Voice project was a two-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project, part-funded by the Government through Innovate UK. The project aimed to reduce transport-related risk across AIUK’s sites, using an innovative, proactive approach. The team – including Leeds Beckett psychology experts and a full-time KTP Associate – have created a dynamic toolkit to reduce future incidents and fatalities. This is now being rolled out across the organisation worldwide and creating a safer and healthier place for employees. AIUK has more than 200 sites and around 3,700 employees across the UK. They are part of the Holcim Group, a global leader in building materials and solutions, operating across 70 countries worldwide. The project was led by Dr Jim Morgan, Principal Lecturer and Leader of the Psychology Applied to Safety and Health (PASH) research group at Leeds Beckett. Dr Morgan explained: “We have designed and implemented a toolkit, using academic theory and models, which proactively identifies safe and unsafe behaviours within the business. This includes a step-by-step process for developing work system redesign – the way work is planned and conducted – and behaviour change programmes. This means AIUK can fully understand the underlying factors that influence their workplace safety and are putting in place strategies to prevent fatalities and reduce future incidents.” AIUK estimate that – as a direct result of the KTP – they will increase their profits by £8million within the next three years. This is based on predicted cost savings from reduced fatalities and injuries, increased productivity due to work system redesign and reduced injury-related employee absence, and an increase in the number of bids won for new work. The KTP has now been graded ‘Outstanding’ by independent assessors at Innovate UK – this is the highest possible rating awarded to projects. A key element of the KTP’s success was Laura Jackson – the full-time Associate recruited to manage the project as a member of the AIUK team, with the support of the Leeds Beckett academic experts. Laura led four research studies, including questionnaires and interviews involving more than 280 drivers, and a highly innovative eye tracking and sleep study. The Safety Voice Toolkit supports AIUK’s long-term aim to be the safest company in the industry, and to achieve ‘zero harm’ in its workplaces. It will be shared across the UK construction materials industry to inform best practice. Following the success of the KTP, Laura Jackson has secured a newly-created role at AIUK as Behavioural Safety Business Partner – leading AIUK in their journey to improve behavioural safety across the whole organisation. Laura is also continuing to study for her Masters by Research (MRes) degree at Leeds Beckett University. Laura said: “To achieve AIUK’s ambitions, they needed the psychological expertise relating to safety and health in the workplace at Leeds Beckett. The targeted and tailored safety behaviour change interventions that we have developed are not something that could be achieved by off-the-shelf consultancy services. “The KTP has had a significant impact on safety culture at AIUK. I worked hard to gain trust with colleagues, and tactfully engaged stakeholders, to successfully instil core values, foster collaboration, and promote accountability. This has been a genuine ‘bottom up’ approach to zero harm strategy – and is the first step in a long-term shift in how we manage and prioritise safety in the workplace. I am now enhancing our strategic safety plan for 2024 onwards, which includes a structured approach to identifying, addressing and preventing unsafe behaviours and conditions.” Jo Griffiths, Head of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships at Leeds Beckett University, added: “To have achieved an Outstanding grading for the project is testament to the success of this collaboration between Laura, our academic team, and AIUK. We are thrilled with the impact this is creating across the international Holcim Group – and look forward to continuing to make lasting impact for the extensive range of businesses, public sector and third sector organisations we work with through our KTP programme.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Grayson partners with St Edmunds Society to enhance education with cutting-edge training materials

Grayson partners with St Edmunds Society to enhance education with cutting-edge training materials

Grayson, a leading provider of construction consumables, is proud to announce a new partnership with St Edmunds Society (St Eds), a Norwich-based charity offering vocational training and employability skills training to young people aged 16-18. This collaboration aims to significantly enhance the learning experience for St Eds’ students by providing them with modern, up-to-date materials and equipment for training and teaching purposes. An award-winning charity, St Eds offers a diverse range of courses and qualifications, including City and Guilds Multi-Skills Construction (L1) in which students can gain skills in carpentry, bricklaying, painting and decorating, plastering, tiling and plumbing, with the opportunity to specialise in these areas in an industry-approved training environment. St Eds also works closely with local schools to support students who find mainstream education challenging. Recognising the high-need nature of St Eds’ student cohort, the institution has a robust welfare team in place, providing extensive emotional and mental support beyond what is typically available in traditional schools and colleges, ensuring that students receive the care and guidance they need to succeed both academically and personally. Through this partnership, Grayson has supplied St Eds’ construction department with state-of-the-art equipment and materials, including those for cavity wall construction and other specialised techniques used on-site. This contribution has enabled St Eds to expand its curriculum, offering more enrichment activities that go beyond standard qualification requirements. As a result, students can gain a deeper insight into the construction industry and hands-on experience with materials and techniques that are crucial for their future careers. In addition to supplying equipment, Grayson works closely with the staff at St Eds to keep them up-to-date on the latest products and techniques, elevating the quality of education and ensuring that both tutors and students are well-acquainted with the modern materials currently used onsite. Grayson also recently sponsored the Construction Student of the Year Award at St Eds’ graduation ceremony in July. Katie Wills, Grayson’s Regional Manager for the South, attended the ceremony to recognise the hard work of the emerging talent and proudly presented the award to the deserving student. “The tutors are thrilled with the new resources provided by Grayson,” says Heidi Duhig, Fundraising Manager at St Eds. “These are tools and materials we wouldn’t typically have access to due to budget constraints, and they allow us to provide a more comprehensive and engaging learning experience for our students. Thanks to Grayson’s support, we can now expose our students to a broader range of construction skills and knowledge, better preparing them for their future careers.” Gary Smith, Lead Construction Tutor at St Eds, comments: “We have been able to develop our teaching methods with the resources that Grayson has been giving us. We are using realistic profiles on one model now, rather than using wooden profiles. Cavity walling is more realistic with the cavity stop socks they have generously given us, along with the lintels, cavity trays and weep holes.” By partnering with St Eds, Grayson is helping to ensure that the next generation of tradespeople are equipped with the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to succeed in the industry. Tony Higson, Managing Director at Grayson, adds: “We are incredibly proud to support St Edmunds Society in their mission to provide alternative education and practical training to young people. By equipping students with the latest materials and tools, we are helping to create a solid foundation for their future careers in construction. It’s essential that these students have access to the best resources, and we’re delighted to be a part of their journey.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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