Duraproducts, a leading provider of innovative, sustainable construction solutions, has been chosen by ABM Contractors to supply its pioneering Durakerb HB2 range of recycled kerbing units, for the refurbishment of the company’s headquarters car park in Swords, Co Dublin, Ireland. Established in 1994, ABM Contractors is a well-respected contractor with
MEDITE SMARTPLY, the market-leading manufacturer of sustainable wood-based panels, has successfully completed extensive testing with a UKAS-accredited laboratory on flooring solutions featuring SMARTPLY MAX DB and SMARTPLY SURE STEP DB. The OSB panels used in timber flooring systems for internal residential floors have achieved the airborne sound insulation performance of
External wall insulation specialist Alsecco has introduced technical packs to support early, accurate specification and ensure that information required for the golden thread is in place from the start of a project. Providing brick slip systems, render and external wall insulation, the manufacturer has taken steps to give stakeholders, especially
Geberit, a leading manufacturer of sanitary products and piping systems, has appointed Danielle Lillis as its new Product and Marketing Director for the UK. Lillis brings over 20 years of industry experience to the role, having previously held senior positions at major bathroom distributors and manufacturers. Most recently, she served
After much anticipation, the annual Brick Development Association Brick Awards shortlist has been revealed, and we are very proud to learn that IG Masonry Support products feature in seven projects across six categories. The Brick Awards celebrate the pinnacle of brick architecture and craftsmanship. Each year, hundreds of projects are submitted by
Landscaping and building materials specialist opens centre amongst London’s thriving London Bridge design community Marshalls has opened a new showroom for landscape architects and designers at The Leather Market. A short walk from London Bridge station, the centre is designed with creativity in mind, enabling visitors to visualise its product
Safety and sustainability are top priorities for the UK construction industry with significant efforts being made to improve safety standards and sustainable practices, including the use of products specifically designed to meet on-site safety requirements and help the industry reduce its environmental impact. The development of an innovative new product,
Drainage and water supply system specialist, Polypipe Building Services, has launched new technical brochures for its MecFlow Supply Systems designed to make the specification process as smooth as possible. There is a technical manual dedicated to each key MecFlow products: MecFlow Fusion and MecFlow Press, which are now available to
BMI Redland, the specialists in pitched roofing solutions, are celebrating 40 years of Cambrian Slate – the innovative engineered slate tile which has paved the way for responsible roofing and even won the prestigious Queen’s Award. The launch of Cambrian Slate was a world-first for the roofing industry in the
Sto, in collaboration with applicators Chiltern Contracts, has successfully completed a rendering project that enhances both performance and aesthetics for a refurbished multi-purpose building in central London. Located in Oxford Circus, Henry Wood House was originally constructed in the 1960s and consists of a 16-storey tower with two interconnecting wings,
Duraproducts, a leading provider of innovative, sustainable construction solutions, has been chosen by ABM Contractors to supply its pioneering Durakerb HB2 range of recycled kerbing units, for the refurbishment of the company’s headquarters car park in Swords, Co Dublin, Ireland. Established in 1994, ABM Contractors is a well-respected contractor with a reputation for delivering high-quality building solutions across Ireland. Following a period of growth, it became clear that an upgrade of its car park was necessary to meet the demands of its expanding business. The refurbishment project utilised over 150 linear meters of Durakerb HB2 units. This innovative kerbing alternative consists of 88% recycled polymer, offering both traditional functionality and significant environmental and safety benefits. By eliminating the need for pouring and cutting traditional kerbing stones, Durakerb reduces manual handling and exposure to hazardous silica dust. Its lightweight design and efficient installation process also removes the requirement for heavy machinery, promoting a more sustainable construction approach.” Furthermore, Durakerb’s declared Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) highlight a nearly 50% embodied carbon reduction compared to traditional precast concrete products for kerbing projects. This demonstrates Duraproducts’ commitment to providing environmentally friendly solutions for the construction industry. By choosing Durakerb for its car park refurbishment, ABM Contractors has not only improved the functionality and longevity of its employee facility, but also made a significant contribution to environmental sustainability throughout the installation process. In 2017, ABM Contractors installed a combination of Durakerb and Duradrain units at Midleton College in Country Cork, Ireland, delivering a complete recycled and recyclable surface water management system for the surrounding hard landscapes and infrastructure. Philip Weinmann, General Manager at ABM Contractors said, “At ABM we seek smart solutions at all points of the construction process. For our site refurbishment we wanted to exploit our knowledge of products that are efficient, technologically advanced and sustainable. We had previously used Durakerb on a school construction project and were impressed with the health and safety benefits coupled with the environmental credentials it offers. We were therefore delighted to showcase its performance and demonstrate that it reduces the impact on the environment at our company headquarters.” Andy Leah, General Manager at Duraproducts, added, “Construction companies need to lead by example when it comes to projects for their own businesses. We’re delighted to have supplied Durakerb for ABM Contractors’ recent car park refurbishment; it really is a true example of the company’s dedication to sustainability. This project is testament to our commitment to providing innovative, sustainable, and safe products for the construction industry.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
MEDITE SMARTPLY, the market-leading manufacturer of sustainable wood-based panels, has successfully completed extensive testing with a UKAS-accredited laboratory on flooring solutions featuring SMARTPLY MAX DB and SMARTPLY SURE STEP DB. The OSB panels used in timber flooring systems for internal residential floors have achieved the airborne sound insulation performance of 40dB as required by the Building Regulations in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Compared to the traditionally used chipboard solution, these flooring systems offer a host of benefits. Opting for SMARTPLY MAX DB enables a thinner, stronger and 30% lighter alternative. Opting for SMARTPLY SURE STEP DB provides an airtight, durable, and slip-resistant solution, ticking all the boxes for operational goals. Roly Ward, Head of Business Development at MEDITE SMARTPLY, commented: “Peace and quiet are essential for a comfortable and healthy home environment. We are excited to bring to the market new applications for our products that have been tested in flooring systems and offer sound reduction while providing the construction industry with a lighter, safer, airtight, and sustainable flooring solution as an excellent alternative to traditionally used materials.” MEDITE SMARTPLY has tested its new 18mm SMARTPLY MAX DB in flooring systems. The panel helps achieve 40dB, which is required for internal residential floors under the Building Regulations in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The panel also offers weight savings, allowing for easier handling on the construction site, as well as simpler transportation and reduced costs. SMARTPLY SURE STEP DB is an airtight, tongue-and-groove panel with a high-performance coating. Using it as an airtight layer for flooring or decking can contribute to sustainable building practices and reduce energy consumption for heating. This solution complies with building regulations and is certified as airtight. What’s more, SMARTPLY SURE STEP DB’s unique coating enhances durability during the construction phase and ensures slip resistance in all site conditions. SMARTPLY OSB panels are highly durable because of their manufacturing process. The cross-orientation of the wood strands is key; this alignment allows for greater surface coverage for the adhesive, resulting in the panel’s superior strength. SMARTPLY OSB is a sustainable material that can add value throughout the supply chain. Sourced from sustainably managed and accredited Irish forests, SMARTPLY wood-based panels not only store carbon during the growth of trees but also continue to lock it in throughout the manufacturing process and the entire lifespan of the product and the buildings in which they are used. SMARTPLY’s OSB panels are fully certified, UKCA and CE marked, legally sourced, and sustainable. Because OSB is made of wood strands, the whole tree is used, and nothing is wasted. The entire SMARTPLY OSB range has been manufactured using no added formaldehyde, contributing towards healthier environments for dwellers in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. “SMARTPLY OSB has one of the lowest embodied carbon of any mainstream building material. This makes it ideal for building energy-efficient homes – offering a warmer home and a reduction in energy consumption – keeping us on track towards a net-zero future,” added Roly Ward. SMARTPLY MAX DB and SMARTPLY SURE STEP DB are engineered OSB wood-based panels that meet regulatory requirements and exceed expectations, making them a smarter choice for specifiers, housebuilders, contractors, and homeowners. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
External wall insulation specialist Alsecco has introduced technical packs to support early, accurate specification and ensure that information required for the golden thread is in place from the start of a project. Providing brick slip systems, render and external wall insulation, the manufacturer has taken steps to give stakeholders, especially on high rise projects, the information needed to successfully specify projects at the initial engagement stage. Pulling together essential information including a U-value calculation for the project, condensation risk analysis, certification, technical and safety data, the packs contain all the information required to demonstrate that Alsecco’s systems meet the design specification – and are compliant with the relevant regulations. In addition, the technical team at Alsecco create a suite of drawings for the packs to support the application and installation of the systems, with the option to update and change this on site at a later stage within the design process. While providing the level of detail needed to demonstrate how the products would perform within the project specification, including thermal efficiency and weather performance, the packs also ensure that the level of detail required to support the golden thread is in place from the start. Ben Robinson, Technical Manager at Alsecco, said: “The introduction of the Building Safety Act has understandably seen the demand for comprehensive information around all building systems increase rapidly. “In meeting this need from the outset we aim to take a forward-looking approach that puts in place all the detail that is needed to support the progress of a project through the gateway system, and to provide the detail that will support the golden thread for the lifetime of the building. “As a manufacturer we are committed to supporting the highest standards in construction and have the digital tools and technical knowledge to offer that to specifiers, architects and contractors as soon as interest has been lodged in a scheme. “While having the correct certification will be vital for the gateway scheme it is also essential that calculations for U-values are correct and that an accurate condensation risk analysis is in place to inform the correct use of systems to fulfil the criteria, ensure lasting quality in the build and to increase application processing speeds for our valued partners.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Geberit, a leading manufacturer of sanitary products and piping systems, has appointed Danielle Lillis as its new Product and Marketing Director for the UK. Lillis brings over 20 years of industry experience to the role, having previously held senior positions at major bathroom distributors and manufacturers. Most recently, she served as Sales and Commercial Director at Ideal Bathrooms, where she was responsible for its extensive supplier portfolio, and both the sales and marketing teams. In her new position, Lillis will lead Geberit’s product management and marketing departments, focusing on driving growth in key segments like wall-hung sanitaryware and shower toilets. She aims to leverage Geberit’s reputation for innovation and quality to further strengthen its market position. “I’ve always admired Geberit as a best-in-class manufacturer,” said Lillis. “I’m excited to join such an innovative company and look forward to enhancing our product offerings and marketing strategies to deliver even more value to our customers.” Lillis’s background as both a supplier and customer in the bathroom industry gives her unique insights that will benefit Geberit’s relationships with distributors, installers, and end users. Her commercial acumen and results-driven approach align well with Geberit’s focus on growth and market leadership. “We’re thrilled to welcome Danielle to the Geberit team,” said Mark Larden, Managing Director of Geberit UK. “Her extensive experience and customer-centric perspective will be invaluable as we continue to develop premium products and services for the UK market.” Lillis took up her new role in August 2024. She will be based at Geberit’s UK headquarters in Warwick. For more information visit: www.geberit.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
After much anticipation, the annual Brick Development Association Brick Awards shortlist has been revealed, and we are very proud to learn that IG Masonry Support products feature in seven projects across six categories. The Brick Awards celebrate the pinnacle of brick architecture and craftsmanship. Each year, hundreds of projects are submitted by eminent architects, brickwork contractors, main contractors and developers. These projects span a diverse spectrum of creativity, showcasing an array of colors, shapes, and brick types, unfolding across 18 hotly-contested categories. IG Masonry Support has supplied its products and services to 7 of the shortlisted projects, these include: VITA Bruce Street (Little Victoria Street) Our Sales Director, Scott Denham shared his thoughts:“We are pleased to hear that once again our products have been featured in the Brick Awards shortlisted projects with the brickwork solutions we have provided. This shortlisting showcases our commitment to engineering excellence through offsite craftsmanship. Our continued support of the annual Brick Development Association Brick Awards is something that we are very excited to be a part of. We look forward to learning the winners of the Awards in early November and wish everyone involved in the projects, the very best of luck. The Brick Awards ceremony takes place on Wednesday 6th November 2024 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London. For more information, please visit: www.brick.org.uk/brick-awards Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Landscaping and building materials specialist opens centre amongst London’s thriving London Bridge design community Marshalls has opened a new showroom for landscape architects and designers at The Leather Market. A short walk from London Bridge station, the centre is designed with creativity in mind, enabling visitors to visualise its product ranges virtually and experiment with a wide variety of material types. Following eight years at Compton Courtyard, Clerkenwell, Marshalls has chosen to relocate to this vibrant new location recognising the growth of the SE1 postcode as a hub for landscape architects and designers. The Leather Market is also conveniently situated just a five-minute walk from London Bridge Station, making it easily accessible from various parts of London and beyond. The new unit at The Leather Market offers customers a creative and inspiring environment. It features a workshop-style setting with advanced digital features, enabling customers to explore ranges and laying patterns using augmented and virtual reality technology. The space offers a hands-on approach to testing materials and design concepts, with clients able to touch and feel physical samples and explore various colours, textures, and finishes. The modelling area helps turn digital models into reality with the ability to set out miniature street scenes with their chosen options. The Leather Market also boasts additional facilities, including various-sized meeting rooms available for hire, a separate break-out space, an on-site café and catering services. James Gosden, National Specification Manager for Marshalls Landscape Products, said: “Whether customers are networking, seeking inspiration for a scheme or development or just want a location to mind-map ideas, our new Design Space is the perfect environment to spark creativity. Located in the London Bridge area, we’re now much closer to many of our customers, too, making it easier for them to pop by at a time that suits them. We can’t wait to start welcoming people to this exciting new space.” Alongside its new London showroom, Marshalls has a second Design Space in Birmingham, located just a five-minute walk from Birmingham New Street Station. To book, visit marshalls.co.uk/commercial/design-space Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Safety and sustainability are top priorities for the UK construction industry with significant efforts being made to improve safety standards and sustainable practices, including the use of products specifically designed to meet on-site safety requirements and help the industry reduce its environmental impact. The development of an innovative new product, called the Rebar Buddy, mitigates some of the risk of injuries caused by exposed reinforcement bars – or rebars for short – and signifies a step in the right direction for the industry, especially as its designed to be fully recyclable to meet contractor demands for sustainability. The Rebar Buddy, which is distributed exclusively in the UK by Selkent, represents a significant improvement on existing methods of nullifying the hazards posed by the exposed ends of protruding rebar sections. Rebars play a crucial role in ensuring the integrity of buildings. Typically, made from steel, a rebar is used to strengthen concrete structures by increasing its tensile strength. However, they can cause safety issues for those working on site, with protruding rebars causing a potential for injury or trip hazard. And while the use of a rebar protector isn’t new, the material composition of existing rebar mushroom caps and their likeliness of becoming contaminated with concrete means they can’t be recycled and therefore don’t meet sustainable standards of construction today. Shaun Bushnell, Managing Director at Selkent explains the thinking behind the development process: “Rebar Buddy is a great example of how incremental improvements can be made to existing components, when you apply careful attention and some up-to-date, expert knowledge. “Rebar end caps, or mushrooms, have been used for years, and do a job, but with some drawbacks. They suffer from frequent wear and tear by being taken on and off the rebar and can become loose and often be blown off by moderate winds. With large sites sometimes having thousands of protruding ends, using a more flexible and sustainable material just made sense.” Rebar Buddy is constructed from a PTE thermoplastic elastomer that is perfectly suited to its application. Combined with a smart 3D design, the material offers a stiff elasticity which endures with repeated use, delivering a strong grip while allowing easy application. The addition of a linear version, where each piece covers multiple rebar protrusions, allows far quicker application saving valuable time. Crucially, these designs also have the toughness and durability to offer the physical protection required and last much longer than existing products. Rebar Buddy products are also fully recyclable, this combines with their reusability to offer impressive sustainability performance. It was this that led to the product being recognised by the Environment & Sustainability Award at the 2023 CONSTRUCT Day Awards. UK Port Sustainability awards also. Shaun continue: “In the grand scheme of a construction project the impact of a relatively small amount of plastic waste didn’t used to come up on the project manager’s radar, but that has changed. Now, the industry recognises that we need to move to cradle-to-cradle solutions wherever we can, and Rebar Buddy offers that opportunity”. You can find out more about Rebar Buddy here Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Drainage and water supply system specialist, Polypipe Building Services, has launched new technical brochures for its MecFlow Supply Systems designed to make the specification process as smooth as possible. There is a technical manual dedicated to each key MecFlow products: MecFlow Fusion and MecFlow Press, which are now available to download. The manuals provide detailed information and full technical specifications to support building service and public health engineers when specifying projects. MecFlow Fusion and MecFlow Press Supply Systems are designed to meet the highest standards of performance and reliability offering robust solutions for a wide range of applications in commercial and high-rise projects. Together they form a fully comprehensive supply system from the basement or plant room to risers, runouts and apartments. Designed for robustness, MecFlow Fusion is available from ø20mm to ø 315mm and features a tough multi-layer composition that’s reinforced by microfibres for added mechanical strength and antimicrobial properties. The welding techniques used to install MecFlow Fusion produce secure, long-lasting joints without the need for hot works. Also available exclusively in MecFlow Fusion is the patented CLICKWELD™ technology, that allows a “dry fit” and adjustments before electrofusion of the joints. Certified to BS EN ISO 15874 with WRAS approval, MecFlow Fusion uses socket weld, buttweld and electrofusion jointing methods to create homogenous joints. Designed for flexibility and durability, MecFlow Press is a multi-layer composite piping system available from ø16mm to ø32mm. Engineered for potable, hot and cold plumbing and heating installations, MecFlow Press takes the best of both metal and plastic systems. Providing an oxygen tight barrier, low thermal expansion and first-class flow rates, the ideal choice for runout and apartment installations. Certified to BS EN ISO 21003 with WRAS approval, MecFlow Press uses press-fit jointing featuring a stainless-steel sleeve with tool guide and inspection holes ensuring peace of mind. Each of the technical manuals provide in-depth information on the systems range, including: With the product’s full specifications available in two fully comprehensive publications, specifiers and contractors have complete reassurance and confidence that MecFlow Supply Systems comply with legislation and meet the project requirements. Ian Crickmore, Technical Director of Polypipe Building Services, explains: “We recognise the importance to our clients of having technical information readily available during the specification process, helping them to correctly plan a project from the ground up. Our new MecFlow Supply Systems technical manuals are designed to make that process time-efficient and hassle-free, with easy to navigate information including full specifications, technical illustrations and rating tables, providing specifiers and contractors with complete reassurance that the MecFlow product is the right fit for their project.” Download the technical manuals today: MecFlow Supply Systems | Polypipe Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
BMI Redland, the specialists in pitched roofing solutions, are celebrating 40 years of Cambrian Slate – the innovative engineered slate tile which has paved the way for responsible roofing and even won the prestigious Queen’s Award. The launch of Cambrian Slate was a world-first for the roofing industry in the mid-80s, bringing a natural slate roof tile to market with all the qualities of an engineered product. The system represented an entirely new approach to recycling by taking some of the large amount of waste rock generated by the slate quarrying process and turning it into an attractive, durable slate tile. Cambrian made it possible to balance traditional aesthetics alongside engineered performance and sustainability. Reflecting the ground-breaking nature of Cambrian, during 1984, its development was kept tightly under wraps, with a brand-new factory built in Wales – just a few miles from where the slate is quarried – which remains the heart of production to this day. Within a decade of its launch, Cambrian also won the 1991 Queen’s Award for Technological Achievement. BMI’s commitment to innovation has seen further developments over the last four decades, with the most recent being its compatibility with the Redland PV InDaX Adapt in-roof solar system. “When we launched the Cambrian tile in the mid-80s, it was the world’s first natural slate composite tile, combining the best of traditional Welsh slate with the quality and uniformity of an engineered product,” says Mat Woodyatt, Product Manager at BMI. “In the years since its launch, the tile has helped housebuilders and roofers to elevate levels of quality, maintaining traditional natural slate aesthetics and even prioritising sustainability – so it was well ahead of its time. “It truly is a product for the whole team to be proud of and it is genuinely reflective of the innovative culture that our company is built on.” Suitable for a wide range of projects and architectural styles, Cambrian Slate is a specially engineered system, which can be specified with Cambrian fittings to create a complete system. Made using over 60% responsibly sourced Ffestiniog Welsh slate, it is lightweight, suitable for pitches as low as 15° and simple to install. BBA certified, Cambrian comes complete with a 60-year product guarantee alongside a 15-year weathertightness, durability and design liability guarantee when specified using SpecMaster. Discover the full potential of Cambrian at bmigroup.com/uk/cambrian Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Sto, in collaboration with applicators Chiltern Contracts, has successfully completed a rendering project that enhances both performance and aesthetics for a refurbished multi-purpose building in central London. Located in Oxford Circus, Henry Wood House was originally constructed in the 1960s and consists of a 16-storey tower with two interconnecting wings, each five storeys high. The building comprises 69,000 square feet of office space, 10,800 square feet of retail, and a hotel occupying the upper seven floors. The external renovation required the refurbishment of the existing façade, including the application of new rendering. Sto was chosen to design a system that would not only repair the damaged façade but also meet a specific design brief from Ben Adams Architects and the building’s owners, Derwent. The brief called for a modern, linear render finish that would bring texture to the building’s surface and provide a durable exterior. Bogdan Stefan, Project Manager for Chiltern Contracts’ façades division, said: “The linear appearance, which was to be applied across thousands of square metres, was particularly challenging and had not been replicated anywhere else in the UK before. “Meticulous planning was crucial to achieve the desired result. Sto provided specialist training for our applicators, enabling us to create extensive mock-ups for the client’s approval before commencing the work.” To create the StoSignature linear appearance, Stolit MP render was applied, and using a special V-shaped trowel, the applicators carefully pulled the trowel in one direction across the render at a specific angle to achieve the exact finish required. Bogdan continued: “Replicating the precise lines approved in the mock-up on a much larger scale required significant skill and patience. To ensure consistency and the highest standards, the applicators who were specially trained by Sto completed the entire project from start to finish.” Before applying the specialist render finish, the StoReno Plan system was used to repair the façade. This system was installed over the failing mosaic tile cladding and granite slips. It comprised an adhesive bedding coat, StoReno A recycled glass, mesh-reinforced carrier boards, a reinforcing coat with embedded mesh, and the decorative render finish. This system ensures the new façade is resistant to cracking and weathering. The new repair system was specifically selected for installations requiring an A2-s1, d0 reaction to fire classification. Given the complexity of the installation, Sto provided ongoing technical advice and support to the applicators throughout the project. Due to the building’s existing structure and high negative wind loads, strict fixing patterns had to be agreed upon and followed. The installation was reviewed by Sto at various stages to ensure the workmanship met the required standards, securing an extended warranty. The rendering project was completed on time and met the high expectations of all parties involved. For more information, visit www.sto.co.uk, email info.uk@sto.com, or call 0330 024 2666. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
