One of the largest groups of independent builders merchant in the UK, with in excess of 170 branches throughout the South of England, has launched a comprehensive cost of living support package for its employees. Some 2,000+ employees across the 20 brands of the Independent Builders Merchant Group (IBMG), will benefit from
One of the UK’s leading green construction companies is celebrating after recording its most successful business year to-date. Dura Products, which manufactures sustainable road kerbs and drainage solutions using recycled polymers, has sold over 100,000 units (over 50km) of Durakerb & Duradrain during the past year, up by almost 70%
Construction materials supplier Euroform has introduced a new direct render base board called Versarend®. An A1 non-combustible exterior grade board, Versarend® is cement based yet light weight with ‘score and snap’ workability, so is quick to install. Already tested with a range of polymeric renders, Versarend® has been tested by
ROCKWOOL has been accredited with the British Board of Agrément (BBA) Agrément Certificate for its NyRock® Rainscreen 032 product. NyRock Rainscreen 032 is a stone wool insulation product specifically developed for use within ventilated cladding systems, as well as sealed systems such as curtain walling. Manufactured using patented technology, NyRock
Tradelink, one of the UK’s leading windows and doors manufacturer, has invested heavily in a new factory in Mildenhall, Suffolk. With over 29 years’ experience in the windows and doors industry, Tradelink specialises in PVC-U and aluminium windows, doors, sealed units and conservatories. There are also timber alternatives in the
In more recent years, we’ve adapted to spending almost 90% of our time indoors and in the workplace. This lifestyle change means that we typically spend less time in natural light, so this has a huge impact on our circadian rhythms – our natural body clock that is responsible for
Sika, a specialty chemicals company with a leading position in the development and production of building products, has been awarded the EWI Excellence Award at the INCA Awards (The Insulated Render and Cladding Association). Held at the Queens Hotel in Leeds, the INCA Awards were hosted by comedian and broadcaster
Construction materials supplier Euroform confirms that its ‘Easyboard®’ exterior grade fibre cement board now has BDA Agrément certification. Easyboard®, which makes an ideal exterior sheathing board for steel frame system (SFS) walling, is one of the first boards of its kind to combine the benefits of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)
Leading builders merchant Haldane Fisher has been shortlisted as the Builders Merchant of the Year (6 – 20 Branches) at the prestigious Builders Merchants Awards. Recognising those that have shown commitment to innovation, delivering excellent customer service, and boosting the success of the company, the awards will celebrate the best
Low Carbon Materials (LCM), the science-led construction company, has announced it is one of the three international finalists in the world’s most prestigious environmental prize, The 2022 Earthshot Prize. The UK-based company is competing in the Fix Our Climate category, having been recognised by HRH Prince William as an accomplished
One of the largest groups of independent builders merchant in the UK, with in excess of 170 branches throughout the South of England, has launched a comprehensive cost of living support package for its employees. Some 2,000+ employees across the 20 brands of the Independent Builders Merchant Group (IBMG), will benefit from a three-pronged package of additional support that includes a one-off winter payment, a ‘perks package’ and a special Employee Purchase Scheme(EPS). IBMG is making a one-off payment of £500 to employees this winter in an immediate effort to assist with the rising cost of living. Along-side this IBMG has also launched a Group-wide employee ‘perks package’, that has proven successful in saving £1000s during its pilot run throughout the Parker Building Supplies network. This package provides discounts for IBMG employees on a raft of daily essentials such as groceries, clothes, mobile phones, insurance and household bills. Finally, IBMG has a new special employee purchase scheme(EPS) that provides employees of the Group with exceptional discounts on IBMG’s vast range energy saving products, such as insulation and draught proofing – a key to longer-term security from rising energy costs. IBMG’s CEO, Martin Stables, said: “We are delighted to be able to provide this support. We forecast that the combination of these measures will immediately benefit and support our team. “These are extraordinary times and as a leading group of successful builders merchants, we feel it is important to support our brilliant employees throughout the business. The vast majority of our team have been with the business for many years. Everyone works hard, showing dedication to their role and we want to help them and their families even further at this challenging time. “From a winter payment and help with energy saving measures, to an extensive discount package to help with day-to-day household expenditures we hope to wrap our arms around each person in our IBMG family and provide help through this winter and beyond.” The support package is considered to be one of the most generous in the sector and has been hugely welcomed by all employees of IBMG. www.Independentbm.com Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
One of the UK’s leading green construction companies is celebrating after recording its most successful business year to-date. Dura Products, which manufactures sustainable road kerbs and drainage solutions using recycled polymers, has sold over 100,000 units (over 50km) of Durakerb & Duradrain during the past year, up by almost 70% on 2021 figures. This follows on from a sustained period of growth in 2020, during which the business grew by over 60%. Sustainability has never been more important in the construction industry. With the UK now committed to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, fundamental changes are required to the way we live and work, particularly in construction. The built environment currently accounts for around 33% of carbon emissions in the UK, meaning actions taken by the sector make a big difference to the outcome. As a result, demand for Dura Product’s solutions in 2022 has been significant. In the UK alone, the business has supplied many innovative and game changing projects like the McDonald’s drive-thru in Market Drayton, Shropshire, the UK’s first net zero restaurant. More than 500 metres of the eco-friendly Durakerb was supplied around the drive-thru and customer parking areas. Duradrain, the company’s pioneering kerbside drainage product, was also recently installed at the UK’s largest drive-thru of Canadian donut chain Tim Hortons, in Trafford Park, Greater Manchester. The installation has helped towards Tim Horton’s sustainability strategy, in which it claims to have “an obligation to address climate change head on”. In addition, 2,680 metres of Duradrain, has been installed by UK infrastructure contractor, Colas, for its latest highways project on the A46 at Stoneleigh, reducing scope 3 Co2e emissions by over 82,000kg. This involves the construction of a new bridge over the A46, and the realignment of slip roads to form the basis of a new gyratory system, which will reduce delays and improve road safety in the future. Commenting on the success of the business in the UK, Dura Products Managing Director, Steve Bennett said: “We are delighted with the way the company has performed this year. There has been a noticeable shift towards green construction over the past few years and this has been reflected in sales of our sustainable solutions. We are very much looking forward to seeing what 2023 brings.” Outside of the UK, Dura Products has also been very active driving sustainable construction in Europe. 12 countries now enjoy the widespread benefits of Duradrain – which comprises 70% recycled material in every 500mm unit – including the UK and Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Hungary, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, and Romania. Notable installations include the biggest single infrastructural investment ever undertaken in County Mayo, Ireland. The 20.3km dual carriageway formed part of Wills Bam JV’s €241 million N5 upgrade project. Meanwhile, in Landgraaf, Netherlands, Dura Products’ solutions were used to install a safe cycle lane running adjacent to a key stretch of road. The company has also recently partnered with MY Plast, a specialist high tech manufacturer operating in Romania to produce, stock and deliver the combined kerb and drainage system across mainland Europe and Ireland. Sales within the EU now account for up to 50% of all sales, and with a centrally located factory, the company is ideally set-up to support new projects within Europe and further afield. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction materials supplier Euroform has introduced a new direct render base board called Versarend®. An A1 non-combustible exterior grade board, Versarend® is cement based yet light weight with ‘score and snap’ workability, so is quick to install. Already tested with a range of polymeric renders, Versarend® has been tested by a number of leading render system suppliers. Versarend® has achieved A1 Euroclass reaction to fire classification, making it suitable for a direct render carrier board where a non-combustible façade is required, providing all other components are non-combustible, says Euroform. It is UKCA marked according to BS EN 12467:2012+A2:2018 ‘fibre cement flat sheets’ “Versarend® is particularly innovative, because it can easily be cut with a utility knife and snapped to size without the requirement for power tools as is usually the case with traditional render base boards, thereby minimising dust and noise, and greatly increasing speed of installation,” said Roland Culverhouse, technical product manager at Euroform. Versarend® is manufactured via a unique process combining Ordinary Portland Cement and a reinforcing matrix that enhances the workability and handling properties over traditional fibre cement boards. It is a 12mm board in sheet size of 2400 x 1200 that is compatible with standard stud spacings/layout. Versarend® is highly moisture tolerant and will not rot or degrade. For technical data visit https://www.euroform.co.uk/ Euroform has been developing, fabricating and supplying materials for the construction industry since 1995. Euroform specialises in ensuring fire and thermal compliance across its product range. Each product is supported by an experienced and knowledgeable technical team to provide advice and guidance. Based at Warrington, Euroform is part of Performance Technology Group an SIG Trading Ltd group of companies specialising in supporting the construction industry to meet acoustic, fire, thermal and vibration challenges. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
ROCKWOOL has been accredited with the British Board of Agrément (BBA) Agrément Certificate for its NyRock® Rainscreen 032 product. NyRock Rainscreen 032 is a stone wool insulation product specifically developed for use within ventilated cladding systems, as well as sealed systems such as curtain walling. Manufactured using patented technology, NyRock Rainscreen 032 has a more efficient fibre structure that increases the density of air pockets trapped within each slab. This results in an improved thermal performance when compared to traditional stone wool products. “Launched just a few months ago, NyRock Rainscreen 032 has already been well received by the industry thanks to the improved thermal performance it provides,” comments Lisa Stephens, Product Manager for the Building Envelope at ROCKWOOL UK. “With the BBA approval, architects and designers have independent third-party confirmation of the advantages that NyRock Rainscreen 032 brings to their project.” “The BBA provides services that drives quality and safety throughout the construction space, enabling innovation, risk mitigation and assurance from design through to completed build, and beyond” says Emma Wiles, Sales and Marketing Director from the BBA. “It is great to see more sustainable products entering the market such as this Rockwool product.” BBA approved NyRock Rainscreen 032 has a low thermal conductivity of 0.032 W/mK. It has proven acoustic benefits and is water repellent, yet breathable. Being manufactured from stone wool, NyRock Rainscreen 032 is classed as non-combustible in Euroclass A1. Stone wool is dimensionally stable and has been proven to provide the same performance for more than 55 years after installation.[1] For more information go to www.rockwool.com Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Tradelink, one of the UK’s leading windows and doors manufacturer, has invested heavily in a new factory in Mildenhall, Suffolk. With over 29 years’ experience in the windows and doors industry, Tradelink specialises in PVC-U and aluminium windows, doors, sealed units and conservatories. There are also timber alternatives in the comprehensive portfolio. The company, with WindowCenters across the UK, has been manufacturing in Mildenhall for over 15 years and the rare opportunity to acquire more premises arose. Stuart Judge, MD, takes up the story, “When we saw the opportunity for more space, we took it as we have introduced a new range of composite doors – SOTERIA. It made perfect sense to acquire more square metres in Mildenhall! We also needed to expand due to increased demand for our core products.” The Tradelink customer comes in many guises – a developer, builder, trade installer or homeowner – and, from the new premises in Mildenhall, all customers across the UK can be serviced. Andy Worroll, Head of Operations, comments “These are exciting times at Tradelink and everyone is looking forward to the future. The addition of our new dedicated door factory will free up valuable capacity at our other sites so we can focus on casements and new product launches. We have assembled a great team to assist with the transformation which will accelerate our manufacturing capabilities by around 20% across all product ranges.” For further information, please visit https://tradelinkdirect.com Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In more recent years, we’ve adapted to spending almost 90% of our time indoors and in the workplace. This lifestyle change means that we typically spend less time in natural light, so this has a huge impact on our circadian rhythms – our natural body clock that is responsible for our daily sleep-wake routine. This rhythm is heavily reliant on the amount of light reaching our eyes. Helvar is a leading provider of intelligent lighting control products and solutions and understands the impact light has on people’s wellbeing and functionality. The workplace’s human-centric lighting is the easiest way to support employees’ wellbeing, performance, and circadian rhythm, and thus prevent winter blues and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). As many studies show, light affects complex systems that govern the 24-hour circadian clock in the brain, which regulates not just our sleep-wake cycles, but also hormonal activity, digestion, and other important bodily functions. Lighting has a direct impact on our brain and our hormone balance via the retina in our eyes. The contrast, colour temperatures and effective spectrum in light are key to our circadian rhythm. If we don’t receive enough light, the happiness neurotransmitter serotonin isn’t released to the same extent. While this can be just a transitory case of the winter blues, for some it’s a sign of SAD with symptoms similar to depression. Studies suggest that 20% of us might experience a mild version of the winter blues, while 1-5% might be suffering from SAD due to the shortening in day length and lower light intensity. The winter’s shorter days and lack of sunshine and natural bright blue light affect people in the Northern latitudes. During the winter months, people leave their homes in the dark and then commute home again, in the dark. If they also spend all day in a workplace without enough bright light, it can affect most people’s dispositions. “Ideally, to keep or reset our circadian rhythm, we would receive lots of natural, bright, blue-enriched light at the right time of the morning. The open sky’s light intensities range between 10 000 and even greater than 100 000 lux with 4000-6500 Kelvin (pure white to bright blue colour temperatures). During the darker winter period in the Northern latitudes, this is not the case. Also, the lighting levels in an average working area can be a marginal 300-500 lux. This light intensity doesn’t provide enough bright light and contrasting lighting conditions during the working day. As people spend most of their time indoors e.g. at work, these places should support people’s wellbeing and body-clock needs – provide good quality light with variability to counter the effects causing winter blues or SAD during the darker periods”, describes Helvar’s Marketing Manager Tarja Jokiniemi in her blog about Winter Blues and Workplace Lighting. In the Helvar 100 – Discovering Brighter Spaces Event, Performance Scientist James Hewitt shared his findings on good lighting and circadian rhythm: “Inconsistent light-dark cycles related to our lifestyles mean that we are gradually falling more and more out of sync with our environment. In fact, in industrialised societies, our body clocks are becoming more delayed. We feel like it’s earlier relative to the earth’s day-night cycle, which means that it’s more challenging to wake up in the morning and harder to get to sleep at night. This delay might be explained by weaker Zeitgeber time cues related to a smaller contrast between light and dark in our environment.” Fixed, traditional lighting isn’t designed to support our wellbeing. It lacks the ability to tune lighting levels throughout the day as optimal lighting conditions would also require variation in hues and intensity. Helvar’s modern human-centric lighting controls, however, offer dynamic lighting features including brightness and colour temperature controls. By incorporating these dynamic features in a workplace, a human-centric lighting system more accurately emulates natural light, therefore supporting the circadian rhythms of everyone using the space. To read the whole story, click here. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Sika, a specialty chemicals company with a leading position in the development and production of building products, has been awarded the EWI Excellence Award at the INCA Awards (The Insulated Render and Cladding Association). Held at the Queens Hotel in Leeds, the INCA Awards were hosted by comedian and broadcaster Paul Sinha and recognised outstanding workmanship and innovation shown by its members in external wall insulation. Sika stood out against a wide range of exceptional projects for its work with Swansea Borough Council in upgrading the energy efficiency of its housing stock. The win in this category comes at a time when so many households are facing fuel poverty due to rising energy costs. The improvements to council houses across Swansea, has seen Swansea Council work with Sika in improving the external fabric and increasing insulation as part of efforts to reduce residents’ energy bills. “This was a fantastic night for Sika and Swansea Council. We were delighted to have won this award, which is testament to all the hard work of our team and the high standards we deliver across the external wall insulation industry,” said Darren Bunting, UK Distribution, Business Unit Manager at Sika. Winning this prestigious award has further enhanced Sika’s reputation for manufacture and supply of market leading external wall insulation systems that set the highest standards. “We are delighted with the accolade which is a credit to our hard work across this project. It also recognises the unique relationship between Swansea Council and Sika in creating jobs, reducing emissions, reducing fuel poverty and creating more comfortable homes,” added Matt Allen, Head of Sales for Building Finishing at Sika. Sika Limited and Sika Ireland Limited are part of the global Sika Group, specialising in the manufacture and supply of chemical based products. Sika has a leading position in the development and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing, and protecting in the building sector and the motor vehicle industry. Sika has subsidiaries in 100 countries around the world and manufactures in over 300 factories. With more than 25,000 employees Sika generates annual sales of CHF 7.9 billion (£6.14 bn). Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction materials supplier Euroform confirms that its ‘Easyboard®’ exterior grade fibre cement board now has BDA Agrément certification. Easyboard®, which makes an ideal exterior sheathing board for steel frame system (SFS) walling, is one of the first boards of its kind to combine the benefits of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) into a light weight ‘score & snap’ building board, making it quick and easy to install. The BDA Agrément certification confirms Easyboard® performance as a building board for non-structural use in indoor and outdoor non-loadbearing applications, such as for use in the planking and lining of walls, for sheathing timber frame or steel frame supporting walls, and for ceilings and roof truss structures. “Easyboard® is a highly durable OPC based board that has the same workability as a gypsum-based board,” says Euroform’s technical director John Taylor. Whereas traditional cement-based boards require cutting with power tools, creating dust and taking time, Easyboard® is manufactured with a process that combines the cement with a reinforcing matrix that enhances its workability, so that it can be scored and snapped with a traditional utility knife. The edges do not require sealing as would be the case with an external plasterboard installation. Currently being installed as part of a SFS wall at a large commercial/residential project at The Castings, Manchester, subcontractor AM Structure’s dry liner reports, “I couldn’t believe how easy the board was to score and snap, especially for an OPC board. It is such a time saver and better for dust. We should like to use the board on future SFS sheathing installations.” Easyboard®’s BDA Agrément certificate confirms the product’s fire performance as being A1 non-combustible in accordance with BS EN 13501-1. Euroform points out that, in all cases Euroform should be consulted to discuss specifier/project requirements to advise on the suitability of Easyboard® in respect of fire resistance. Other product characteristics independently assessed through the BDA Agrément process include moisture control, strength and durability. Details of water impermeability, water absorption, load resistance, impact resistance and thermal performance are all available. Easyboard® is quicker to install than traditional cement based boards due to its lower density of 900kg/m3 (minimum). A video demonstrating the ease with which Easyboard® can be cut via the ‘score & snap’ method can be seen at: https://www.euroform.co.uk/easyboard/ Euroform has been developing, fabricating and supplying materials for the construction industry since 1995. Euroform specialises in ensuring fire and thermal compliance across its product range. Each product is supported by an experienced and knowledgeable technical team to provide advice and guidance. Based at Warrington, Euroform is part of Performance Technology Group an SIG Trading Ltd group of companies specialising in supporting the construction industry to meet acoustic, fire, thermal and vibration challenges. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading builders merchant Haldane Fisher has been shortlisted as the Builders Merchant of the Year (6 – 20 Branches) at the prestigious Builders Merchants Awards. Recognising those that have shown commitment to innovation, delivering excellent customer service, and boosting the success of the company, the awards will celebrate the best of the best at a ceremony in Park Plaza, Westminster Bridge, in November. David Haldane, Managing Director of Haldane Fisher, said: “As one of only three builders merchants to be shortlisted, we are thrilled to have been recognised for our dedication to going to above and beyond to place the customer at the heart of everything we do. “We pride ourselves on delivering excellent customer service and encourage our team to take part in regular training, helping us to provide trusted advice for both trade and general public undergoing any type of construction project.” Haldane Fisher, which has 20 branches across Northern Ireland, England, and Scotland, offers customers over 13,000 products across 800 brands. David continued: “In addition to striving for excellence across the business, we continually invest in innovation and growth to ensure we embody best practice and remain at the forefront of the industry. “Being shortlisted for this award is a testament to our team who are committed to working together to facilitate the continued development of not only the business, but the sector as a whole.” Also shortlisted for the Branch of the Year is TG Builders Merchants and EH Smith Builders Merchants. For more information, visit haldane-fisher.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Low Carbon Materials (LCM), the science-led construction company, has announced it is one of the three international finalists in the world’s most prestigious environmental prize, The 2022 Earthshot Prize. The UK-based company is competing in the Fix Our Climate category, having been recognised by HRH Prince William as an accomplished group of entrepreneurs and innovators spearheading ground-breaking solutions to the biggest environmental challenges our planet faces. LCM was founded to shape the green construction sector with its science-based, lower carbon, new-age building material OSTO. OSTO is a carbon-negative lightweight aggregate for concrete produced out of waste and by-products. It is a game-changer for the construction industry, which works by making traditional carbon-intensive blocks carbon-zero, thereby reducing their environmental impact. “We are absolutely thrilled to be nominated and now to be through to the final stages in this competition. It is such an honour to be included alongside such pioneering organisations and individuals who are engaged in truly astounding environmental initiatives,” said CEO and Co-Founder Dr Natasha Boulding. “To have our low-carbon, waste-based building material recognised as a formidable solution that can be scaled to reverse environmental damage and to better protect the environment is truly game-changing. This is real independent verification from the highest authority that our product has the potential to help fix our planet,” she added. Finalists for the Earthshot Prize are eligible for the £1 million prize, as well as receiving tailored support and resources from The Earthshot Prize Global Alliance Members, an unprecedented network of private sector businesses around the world committed to helping scale innovative climate and environmental solutions and multiplying their impact. The five Winners will be selected by The Earthshot Prize Council, a diverse team of influential individuals committed to using their platforms to champion inspiring leadership and elevate urgent efforts to repair and regenerate the planet. The Earthshot Prize Council Members include: HRH Prince William, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, Cate Blanchett, Daniel Alves Da Silva, Sir David Attenborough, Ernest Gibson, Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Jack Ma, Shakira Mebarak, Yao Ming, Luisa Neubauer, Indra Nooyi, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and Naoko Yamazaki. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
