The Builders’ Merchants Awards are the longest running industry awards, recognising colleagues, companies and teams from across the United Kingdom. Over 700 colleagues will be gathering on 24th November at the Park Plaza, Westminster Bridge, London, to celebrate achievement and to raise a glass to those who have excelled in the industry. As suppliers to Independent Builders Merchants from Manchester down to Southampton, EPD Insulation Group have stepped up their national marketing with sponsorship of the ‘Community Initiative of the Year’ award. This award celebrates builders’ merchant who have gone the extra mile to give back to their local community since October 2022. The judges will be looking for merchants that have helped to improve their local community through sponsorship, by raising money, donating materials, or by otherwise helping those in need. The reason EPD has chosen this particular award is that local community has always been at the heart of the business. Since the start of the business in 2011, MD, Steve Boon, has gone out of his way to help young people with sports sponsorship opportunities as well as helping other local causes, so the ‘Community Initiative of the Year’ award just made sense. Marketing Director Neil Farrow said “This sponsorship, together with our new website, is just the start of our new marketing agenda. Our aim is to challenge the big players by offering seamless service and communication throughout the ordering and supply chain, standing by our mantra of Trust; Integrity; Service.” If you’re a Builders Merchant that helps its local community get in touch here https://www.merchants-awards.co.uk/ You’ve got to be in it to win it! Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

British Gypsum, a leading manufacturer of high-performance drylining solutions, has renewed its membership with the Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) for another year. The renewal reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to upholding the highest standards in the construction industry, as well as its contributions to several key projects with the FIS aimed at improving and standardising safety, quality and performance. One of British Gypsum’s significant contributions has been to the creation of the new British Standard, BS 8000-8, which has replaced BS 8212 after years of development. This new standard covers an additional area of drylining and is set to raise the bar for the industry. The company’s ongoing dedication to best practice has also been reflected through its contribution to the FIS Drylining Guides, which launched in March 2023. The guides serve as a reference point for regulations on safety, fire performance and standards and are designed to help those working in the industry to make more informed decisions. David Robinson, Head of Technical Support at British Gypsum, said: ‘It is important that we demonstrate our unwavering commitment to upholding standards within the industry. Our ongoing FIS membership and contribution to the new British Standard are just some of the ways we are able to display our technical expertise, the values we advocate and our commitment to the sector. It is also a further example of how we reassure our customers and construction partners that they can trust our guidance to build a better future for people and the planet.’ Membership in the FIS is contingent on strict adherence to a code of conduct that requires careful vetting of applicants to improve quality and raise standards within the finishes and interior sector. British Gypsum’s technical proficiency has made it an important contributor to the FIS’s initiatives, as it seeks to benefit the construction industry in the long term. To learn more about British Gypsum, please visit www.british-gypsum.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

Aggregate Industries is proud to announce that its market-leading carbon-saving concrete, ECOPact Prime AS, has been named Product Innovation of the Year at the 16th edie Awards, held Thursday 30th March at the iconic Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London hotel. ECOPact Prime AS is the latest addition to Aggregate Industries’ low carbon concrete product range – a unique active setting, carbon-saving concrete with enhanced carbon reduction. Launched in 2022, it is the UK’s first concrete to offer high levels of carbon reduction without compromising on performance, offering over 50% carbon reduction compared with industry standard Portland cement CEMI solution. Both Aggregate Industries and colleagues from Holcim were present to accept the award. Lee Sleight, Managing Director for Aggregate Industries Ready Mixed Concrete Division comments: “With concrete being the second most used resource after water, getting the concrete industry to net zero is vital in supporting global climate change commitments. To this end, we have invested heavily in a range of low-carbon solutions that assist in meeting the sustainability goals of the construction industry. “The most recent of these solutions is ECOPact Prime AS, giving the industry a much lower carbon alternative to standard concrete. Seeing this latest innovation of ours recognised within the edie Awards’ coveted product innovation category validates the endeavours of all at Aggregate Industries who have been involved in its development. I would like to say a big thank you to the judges; the recognition means a great deal to our people and strengthens our firm desire to embed sustainability in the future of construction.” The edie Awards are the world’s largest sustainable business awards scheme. They showcase excellence across the spectrum of green businesses, from the most ambitious net-zero carbon programmes through to cutting-edge green innovations. The edie Awards judges said of ECOPact Prime AS: “This is what sustainability innovation is all about. The product shows great potential to reduce emissions in the cement industry, and the initial results are promising. If scaled up, this innovation could be a real gamechanger on the path to a net-zero construction sector.” ECOPact Prime AS – as with other ECOPact products before it – is already helping to reduce the carbon footprint of projects in which it is used, delivering greater carbon reduction with the same setting time, plus active development of compressive strength to support carbon reduction objectives in the construction industry. For more information on ECOPact Prime AS or to find out about the technical and dedicated support available to ensure the provided solution meets the necessary industry standards, requirements and schedule, visit www.aggregate.com/ecopact. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

Kingspan Group, the world leader in high-performance insulation and building envelopes, has further demonstrated its commitment to decarbonising the built environment, unveiling its lowest-ever embodied carbon raised access floor panel Kingspan RMG600+ — designed specifically for UK & Ireland’s commercial office industry – as part of the group’s new Lower Embodied Carbon (LEC) range. The materials and construction phase of buildings is responsible for 11% of all global energy-related carbon emissions. These emissions are known as embodied carbon. Reducing emissions in the built environment is critical to limiting warming to 1.5 ºC by 2050, as laid out by the IPCC. Kingspan’s new RMG600+, developed by its Data & Flooring division, has -3.04kg of CO2e (A1-A3) showing a 57% reduction in embodied carbon (A1-C) when compared to the standard range*. Independently assessed by One Click LCA, this advancement from Kingspan to reduce embodied carbon in raised access floor panels, can be attributed to several key factors including the procurement of low-carbon steel, a focus on renewable energy and the use of a minimum of 86% recycled material. The low-carbon steel used in Kingspan’s New RMG600+ is produced using an electric arc furnace (EAF) that uses electricity, as opposed to coke used in a traditional blast-furnace, as its energy source. Additionally, the EAF production process uses 90% recycled steel.  The new product is of part of a groupwide decarbonisation strategy which includes Kingspan’s commitment to Net Zero Carbon manufacturing by 2030, a 50% reduction in carbon intensity in its primary supply chain, the introduction of an internal carbon charge of €70/ tCo2 and the investment in H2 Green Steel – a company pioneering the manufacture of steel using hydrogen instead of fossil fuels. “Existing buildings and construction are responsible for 39% of annual energy and process -related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions globally. At Kingspan we aim to contribute to a net zero carbon built environment by minimising our climate – related impacts across our value chain, with the launch of our new Kingspan RMG600+ as part of our Lower Embodied Carbon range.”  says Debra Smith Kingspan Data & Flooring’s Divisional Head of Sustainability. As part of its ten-year Planet Passionate sustainability strategy and science-based targets, Kingspan is committed to developing solutions that will reduce the carbon footprint of buildings. Two of the targets in Planet Passionate will directly impact this by 2030: Net Zero Carbon manufacturing by 2030 and a 50% reduction in carbon intensity in its primary supply chain. Donagh Nolan, Kingspan Data and Flooring’s Divisional Operations Director adds: “We have been manufacturing for 120 years and this is one of those truly important advances, which we think will be transformative both for our business and for our clients’ projects. As part of our broader sustainability commitments, we continuously enhance and upgrade our products.  To deliver this, we employ a dedicated team of expert BIM (Building Information Modelling) engineers, advanced technical professionals, sustainability experts and manufacturing specialists.” Embodied carbon in materials is however only part of the solution to dramatically reducing carbon in buildings. This can only be achieved by developing products which not only save on the operational day-to-day carbon emissions of a building, but also save on carbon during manufacturing and offer options for recycling. Kingspan is focused on creating products that deliver carbon reductions for buildings on all of these fronts. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

Keystone has picked up an impressive 12 industry award wins in the past six months, resulting in a record-breaking year for the Group. Keystone Group brands Keystone Lintels, Keylite Roof Windows, IG Lintels and Keyfix have all come away victorious at recent industry award events, with multiple nominations and shortlist successes in addition to the wins. Keystone Lintels In recognition of its outstanding customer service, Keystone Lintels was delighted to be awarded ‘Supplier of the Year’ by Buildbase for the second year in a row; an accolade that has never been achieved before in the history of the Buildbase Supplier Awards. The award win came shortly after the brand’s success at the BMJ Industry Awards, where Keystone Lintels was crowned ‘Heavyside Supplier of the Year’ by builders’ merchants across the UK and at the Builders’ Merchants Awards where the brand was shortlisted as one of three finalists for ‘Supplier of Year’ alongside Keylite. More recently, Keystone’s customer excellence has been celebrated at the Fortis Supplier Awards, where the company was honoured with the title of ‘Civils and Groundworks Supplier of the Year’. Keylite Roof Windows In December, Keylite triumphed at the BMJ Industry Awards, picking up ‘Roofing Supplier of the Year’ for the fourth consecutive year. This was shortly followed by the brand’s unique Integrated Expanding Thermal Collar being crowned ‘Best Roofing System or Product’ at the 2021 Build It Awards. Keylite also came away victorious at this year’s Builders’ Merchants Awards, taking home the title of ‘Supplier of the Year’ at the 20th-anniversary event. Then in the 2022 Housebuilder Product Awards, the brand was awarded ‘Best Building Fabric Product’ for its Integrated Expanding Thermal Collar. Most recently, Keylite was crowned ‘Joinery Supplier of the Year’ at the Fortis Building & Timber Conference Supplier Awards, which are designed to recognise excellence within the Fortis supplier base. Keylite was also selected as a finalist in the 2022 Irish Construction Excellence (ICE) Awards, for its Integrated Expanding Thermal Collar in the ‘Product Innovation’ category. IG Lintels IG Lintels took home the coveted title of ‘Supplier of the Year’ at the Bradfords Awards for Excellence 2022, demonstrating its outstanding professionalism and commitment to its customers. Keyfix Celebrating excellence in the provision of products and services to the housebuilding industry, Keyfix has been awarded ‘Best Site Product’ in the Housebuilder Product Awards and is also a finalist for Housebuilder’s 2022 ‘Product of the Year’ award.   Just this month, Keyfix was delighted to have been awarded ‘Manufacturing Innovation’ by the Made in Northern Ireland Awards and the ‘Construction Product Innovation’ award at the ICE Awards for its Non-combustible Cavity Tray system. IG Masonry Support IG Masonry Support was also shortlisted in the ‘Product Innovation’ category at this year’s Irish Construction Excellence Awards. Up against both Keylite and Keyfix, the brand’s B.O.S.S. A1 solution was a successful finalist. Sean Og Coyle, Keystone Group Commercial Director, said: “For over 30 years, Keystone Group has been synonymous with excellent customer service and has put its partners at the heart of the Group’s ethos. We are absolutely thrilled that our dedication to forming strong customer bonds has been rewarded with a staggering amount of recent award wins. “As well as prioritising service, we are continuously investing in research and development to provide our customers with sector-leading solutions. It’s fantastic to see our product innovations being recognised and celebrated by the industry as a whole.” For more information on the Keystone Group and its award-winning brands, please visit www.keystonegroup.co.uk, call 028 8676 2184 or email Info@TheKeystoneGroup.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

Reynaers has launched an updated RIBA approved CPD on sustainability to reflect changes in legislation and increasing requirements for better thermal efficiency.  Drawing on the company’s comprehensive sustainability strategy, Reynaers Act, the updated CPD ‘Sustainability and its Implications for Specifying Aluminium Systems’ provides architects, specifiers and contractors with the most up to date information in relation to key sustainability criteria that is essential when specifying aluminium systems.  The CPD builds on the company’s commitment to take a leading stance on sustainability within the glazing industry, and in the build-up to further changes to regulations being introduced in 2025 to continue to reduce carbon emissions in the built environment. In particular, the CPD looks at the evolution of window design and thermal performance, considering the impact on design and manufacture the need for lower U-values has had, and how this is incorporated into aluminium frames.  Ultimately the CPD supports the correct specification of frames to achieve optimal thermal performance, providing an insight into developments in the design of aluminium frames that help to trap in heat and maintain a comfortable living environment to cut energy emissions.  Head of Marketing Samantha Hill said: “Reynaers recognises the important role that CPDs play in supporting high standards in the industry and we welcome the opportunity to share our expertise in the manufacture and application of aluminium systems.  “Sustainability is an important consideration across the entire value chain in the built environment and we take our role extremely seriously in ensuring we can meet our own environmental targets. We’re also committed to demonstrating and supporting best practice in relation to thermal efficiency targets, and through sharing the specialist knowledge that supports that – so we can equip specifiers with the right information when choosing aluminium systems. “Reynaers’ technical teams are invested in cutting carbon across our operations, and in our products and the buildings they are used in. As innovations and targets continue to change to support sustainable practices, clarity into product performance and what to look for is essential, including ensuring that CPDs focused on sustainability are frequently updated to capture the latest changes.” The update follows the introduction of three additional RIBA CPDs last year, all of which are available as seminars or can be accessed online:  Reynaers now offers seven RIBA approved CPDs, all of which meet core curriculum criteria. In the last year more than 95 companies have participated in the CPD accredited training – with members of Reynaers’ project consult team going out to deliver training directly to architects in their offices, as well as providing the option to host training at the company headquarters in Birmingham.  Further RIBA CPDs available from Reynaers are: An Introduction to Specifying Aluminium Curtain Walling, Accessible Solutions for Aluminium Windows and Doors, Specifying Fire Resistant Aluminium and Steel Systems. To find out more about the CPDs offered by Reynaers go to www.reynaers.co.uk/inspiration/stories/reynaers-cpd Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

The Chief Executive Officer of Ibstock plc has been recognised for championing sustainability at this year’s East Midlands Leaders Awards (EMLA). The EMLA category of Green Leader recognises regional business figures who are committed to being a ‘force for good’ and use their position to respond positively to climate change and environmental issues. Joe Hudson was rewarded for his demonstration of leadership on the green agenda as well as his encouragement of positive change within Ibstock’s supply chain and the wider construction industry. Having worked for the leading building products manufacturer since 2018, Joe Hudson has taken Ibstock on a journey towards greater sustainability, ensuring it evolves responsibly. Judges noted Mr Hudson’s role in driving change at Ibstock and the contribution this makes to minimising the environmental impacts of the construction sector as a whole. The award also recognises the many steps he has taken to build a sustainable future for the business. Under Joe Hudson’s leadership as CEO of the FTSE250 listed Ibstock business, the company has benefited from a significant investment programme. This has resulted in the successful delivery of several significant decarbonisation projects. These projects have led to production efficiencies and the adoption of new technologies that will accelerate Ibstock’s path to Net Zero. With Mr Hudson at the helm, Ibstock achieved its Sustainability Roadmap to 2025 ahead of time. As such, the company published its ESG 2030 Strategy in 2022, which has defined a new era of responsible business and serves as an important accelerator in speeding up the pace of positive change. Over the last 5 years, the company has been widely credited for its commitment to raising the bar for sustainable performance across its sector. As such, Ibstock can claim several ‘industry firsts’ and transformational investment projects including: Under Joe’s leadership, Ibstock is now widely credited as leading the way in sustainability within the construction products industry. Emily Landsborough, Head of ESG at Ibstock PLC, commented: “We are all absolutely delighted about this award win for our CEO Joe Hudson. The East Midlands Leaders Award for ‘Green Leader’ is all about strong leadership and the ways in which businesses can act as a ‘force for good’ – this resonates precisely with the way Joe leads Ibstock.  Although Joe would be the first to say that this award would not be possible without the wider Ibstock team we all know – and recognise – the enormous role he has played on an individual basis. He has worked so hard to lead different groups of people and inspire others to share his vision for a more sustainable, decarbonised future.  “I know that Joe would want to make a particular mention of our long serving Group Sustainability Manager Michael McGowan who retires, after 47 years in the industry, at the end of this week. Michael has pushed relentlessly and worked tirelessly on the green agenda finally finding, with Joe’s leadership, that the business can move quickly to make the changes we need to make positive, transformational change to address climate change. Leadership comes from many places, and we have been lucky at Ibstock to have both Michael and Joe banging the drum!” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals