Strengthening its status as one the most sustainable manufacturers of building products in the UK, Ibstock plc has been named as a CO2nstructZero Business Champion. Selected by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) as part of its CO2nstructZero campaign, the initiative enables companies to be role models in the industry change
James Jones & Sons Timber Systems Division has recently announced its latest release of its JJI Design Software. The new software is the most advanced release to date with a number of significant improvements and enhanced design features. General Manager, Angus Macfarlane, said “Our software department has developed this new
New packaging design simplifies product choice Industry-leading 10:1 compression ratio upgrade makes transport, storage and handling even more efficient, and cuts products’ carbon footprint Packaging will use recycled content, less ink and is even easier to recycle Introduction of Rocksilk® as the brand for its Rock Mineral Wool range Knauf
Kawneer introduces an enhanced +/- 5mm expansion joint to its high-performance AA®110 SSG system. One of the main complexities in designing a glazed façade is the accommodation of slab movement/deflection, and due to the extension of structural spans seen in contemporary building designs, slab deflection is increasing. This places additional demands on a façade design team to accommodate movement between slab
ProSite is the digital logistics solution from GF Piping Systems. It helps reduce administrative efforts of ordering, reordering, and accounting of piping system components. In addition, it simplifies the stock management of installation projects, reducing the necessary workforce and related costs to ensure that a sustainable and efficient solution is
One of the most important and common materials used in construction is steel. Many buildings—be they residential, commercial, or industrial—heavily rely on steel. Currently, the use of secondary steel is heightening. It’s manufactured from the remains of primary steel to be recycled and molded. This kind of steel has no
The UK’s largest sawmiller and manufacturer of sawn timber products has launched an Accredited Installer Scheme that offers an array of exclusive benefits to contractors across the country. BSW’s Accredited Installer Scheme allows landscapers, joiners and builders to benefit from a wide range of services and support that will
Selco Builders Warehouse has stepped up its commitment to delivering a sustainable future for the business, its customers and colleagues by planting a new forest. In what is believed to be the most significant development of its kind in the builders merchant industry, Selco has directly supported the planting of
Roger Bullivant South East has completed the installation of more than 3,000 Continuous Flight Auger Piles for a major residential scheme with the award-winning developer, Croudace Homes. Roger Bullivant was appointed in 2016 to install over 3,000 300mm diameter Continuous Flight Auger (CFA) piles across four phases to bring forward
Knauf Insulation’s Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab has earned the industry’s first BBA certification for double layering and for use below the damp proof course (DPC), making it certified for the broadest range of build-ups of any rainscreen solution on the market. “We know how much contractors value the peace of mind
Strengthening its status as one the most sustainable manufacturers of building products in the UK, Ibstock plc has been named as a CO2nstructZero Business Champion. Selected by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) as part of its CO2nstructZero campaign, the initiative enables companies to be role models in the industry change programme. Being named as a CO2nstructZero Business Champion recognises the commitment Ibstock has made to reduce carbon emissions in the delivery and operation of the built environment. Investment in decarbonisation measures and production efficiencies at its facilities, thus accelerating its journey to Net Zero carbon emissions, was a key factor in Ibstock’s inclusion in the scheme. Recent examples of this include; constructing a 4.9MW solar farm at its Leicestershire headquarters, procuring 100% of its electricity from renewable sources and confirming investment in a pathfinder project to achieve world’s first Net Zero brick factory in the West Midlands. The news comes shortly after Ibstock launched its latest Sustainability Report for 2020. It’s most in-depth to date, the report outlines the decarbonisation initiatives the Group is making across its clay and concrete businesses to reduce the carbon intensity of the manufacturing process as well as providing an open and transparent overview of the progress it is making against its Sustainability Roadmap 2025 targets. Ibstock plc’s Chief Executive Officer Joe Hudson comments; “We are honoured to be named as a CO2nstructZero Business Champion. There is no doubt that climate change is one of the greatest challenges we face globally. It is part of our DNA to steward our resources and ensure we have a sustainable and positive impact on the world around us. As a leading building products manufacturer, we recognise that we have to adapt and respond – and this is reflected in the targets we have set ourselves in our Sustainability Roadmap to 2025. “We have seen a transformational shift in attitudes from all of our key stakeholders, and there is a ‘sea-change’ in how our customers, and, in turn, their customers, view environmental issues. Collaboration is a linchpin of achieving carbon reduction targets across the construction sector and we look forward to working alongside the CLC to share best practice, supporting the industry’s move to Net Zero.”
James Jones & Sons Timber Systems Division has recently announced its latest release of its JJI Design Software. The new software is the most advanced release to date with a number of significant improvements and enhanced design features. General Manager, Angus Macfarlane, said “Our software department has developed this new release over the past six months to reflect customer and industry feedback. The new features include a number of design efficiencies in addition to a 3D model export. The continual investment in the JJI Design software has been part of our Group innovation strategy and the latest release is one of several innovations to be developed recently”. James Jones & Sons Timber Systems Division has a dedicated technical support team and will be conducting training sessions with key users of the software over the summer.
New packaging design simplifies product choice Industry-leading 10:1 compression ratio upgrade makes transport, storage and handling even more efficient, and cuts products’ carbon footprint Packaging will use recycled content, less ink and is even easier to recycle Introduction of Rocksilk® as the brand for its Rock Mineral Wool range Knauf Insulation has launched new packaging to make it easier to choose, use, transport and handle its high-performance, non-combustible insulation products, and to further reduce their carbon footprint. The changes include new designs across the whole range, an upgrade taking its industry-leading compression technology to a 10:1 ratio, and new, more environmentally-friendly packaging. “We’ve listened to our customers, but we have also been proactive, trying to pre-empt future needs,” said Vanessa Rae, Marketing Director at Knauf Insulation Northern Europe. “We know how important it is to choose the right product for the application quickly, and move and store it efficiently, whether in-branch or on-site. We also know that sustainability matters more than ever, so we’ve taken these steps to reduce our products’ carbon footprint further so customers can rely on us to help them tick the green boxes for their projects.” The new packaging designs feature bigger and clearer product names. Products are colour-coded into thermal conductivity groups consistent across the whole Glass Mineral Wool range, and essential features such as the Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification and ECOSE® Technology, Knauf Insulation’s unique bio-based binder, are more easily identifiable. The Earthwool® brand has been phased out to simplify the branding structure, and a new brand, Rocksilk®, has been introduced for its Rock Mineral Wool product range. The further upgrade of the compression technology on the Glass Mineral Wool range enables, on average, 15% more insulation per roll and 25% more packs on each pallet for slabs. Rae continued: “Space is always at a premium, whether in-branch, in a vehicle or on site, so we’ve pushed our industry-leading compression technology even further. It means less handling and transport, and more efficient storage for all our customers across the supply chain. It’s another example of how you always get more with Knauf Insulation.” These changes further reduce the company’s carbon footprint. Enhanced compression means more product per truck, fewer vehicles on the roads and less packaging is used per m2 of insulation. Knauf Insulation is also introducing a new packaging film made from a minimum of 30% recycled plastic, and the new designs use less ink, which makes the packaging even easier to recycle. This helps fulfil the commitments made in Knauf Insulation’s ‘For A Better World’ sustainability strategy. “By simplifying product choice and making our high-performance insulation more environmentally friendly, we’re ensuring our customers can focus on delivering better buildings” said Rae. To find out more, visit www.knaufinsulation.co.uk/the-best-keeps-getting-better.
Kawneer introduces an enhanced +/- 5mm expansion joint to its high-performance AA®110 SSG system. One of the main complexities in designing a glazed façade is the accommodation of slab movement/deflection, and due to the extension of structural spans seen in contemporary building designs, slab deflection is increasing. This places additional demands on a façade design team to accommodate movement between slab and façade. When building designs require glazed facades to withstand high slab deflections one solution is to incorporate unitised curtain wall systems like Kawneer’s AA®201 or AA®265 systems, which due to their construction, can provide greater movement allowance. However, unitised curtain walling usually comes at a cost premium and is generally more appropriate for very large facades and where there might be issues of site access. Traditional stick curtain wall is more readily used by most fabricators and installers in the UK, hence the development of a new expansion joint by Kawneer. This new development has now enabled Kawneer to offer an expansion joint for its AA®110 SSG system that can withstand a +/- 5mm amount of movement tolerance. The recent launch of the capped variation of the expansion joint for Kawneer’s AA®110 curtain wall system, which allows a +/- 15mm building tolerance, has now been successfully followed by the SSG (Structurally Silicone Sealed) variant. While a conventional SSG system would be limited in its movement capabilities due to the hidden clamping nature of the glass and toggle engagement requirements, the new Kawneer solution has re-designed glass clamping rails and a re-designed toggle system to allow for greater slab deflection and differential movement. The addition of the SSG expansion joint allows increased flexibility in architectural specification where the clean lines of a silicone glazed façade are desired, but without compromising the requirement for reduced slab sizes and cost. The new joint locates at each slab level and is therefore concealed by spandrel glass or panels. Its specialised engineered foam seals expand and contract with the movement of the structure. To ensure compliance with UK standards, the new enhancement has been rigorously tested during development to ensure high performance in all UK conditions. In consultation with the CWCT, an enhanced version of the ‘Standard for Systemised Building Envelope: Sequence B’ programme was developed. This included a series of performance tests while the new +/- 5mm SSG expansion joint was in its compression, extension and neutral positions. Alongside the new expansion joint enhancement, Kawneer has also increased the glazing weight capacity of the AA®110 system which will bring it in line with the current AA®100 system, providing glass weight capability of up to 600kg. The introduction of a 36mm thermal break provides enhanced thermal performance and increased glass thickness capability up to 50mm. Kawneer’s Technical Director Gary Ledger commented: “Glazing and cladding systems need to be designed to allow for building movement without compromising the performance or safety of the system. The consequences of failing to provide enough allowance for in-service building movement can range from a reduction in weather performance to glass breakage and significant system failure. “Our new +/- 5mm SSG expansion joint is a welcome addition to our AA®110 product offer and follows on from the popular capped expansion joint launched in 2019. This subsequently gives architects ultimate design freedom by providing a traditional stick curtain wall system that gives exceptional performance and tolerance of building movement.”
ProSite is the digital logistics solution from GF Piping Systems. It helps reduce administrative efforts of ordering, reordering, and accounting of piping system components. In addition, it simplifies the stock management of installation projects, reducing the necessary workforce and related costs to ensure that a sustainable and efficient solution is achieved. Fifty percent of medium-sized businesses do not track their inventory. “The lack of tracked inventory can easily lead to out-of-stock situations. Not only does this threaten the timely completion of projects, but also the customer’s trust”, explains Bernd Schuster, Head of Global Specialized Solutions at GF Piping Systems. Project managers regularly face inventory challenges, with lead times from distributors causing potential delays and additional cost to projects that are already under time pressure. Introducing a digital logistics solution makes the supply chain more cost-effective, as the carrying cost is optimized and simultaneously the person-hours needed for administrative tasks are reduced. Thus, translating into an efficiency boost of the whole production chain. Nevertheless, there aren’t many digital tools for stock management available in the market that are affordable for medium-sized or small warehouses. Consequently, GF Piping Systems has developed ProSite, as a fully compatible solution that works with the devices already available on the project site, allowing them to professionalize their processes easily. This powerful new digital platform can improve the production efficiency by up to 15% for some customers, saving them 20% of the administrative tasks in the end and bringing human error rates to the minimum. In addition, ProSite provides a fully traceable overview of the goods managed, ordering, and invoice process. The new digital solution in GF Piping Systems’ portfolio helps to save warehouse space. The optimal inventory turnover ratio with automated just-in-time inventory management also significantly reduces administration and freight costs. At all times, the user can keep an overview of picklists and order books in a fully traceable and transparent manner. The fail-safe operation avoids excesses and shortages with staple material as well as custom pieces. In addition, the customer can keep the exact numbers required. For more product details, visit: www.gfps.com/prosite
One of the most important and common materials used in construction is steel. Many buildings—be they residential, commercial, or industrial—heavily rely on steel. Currently, the use of secondary steel is heightening. It’s manufactured from the remains of primary steel to be recycled and molded. This kind of steel has no mill certifications, and it’s cheaper compared to primary steel. Secondary steel can also be the result of processes such as steel slitting. It serves to fulfil specific customers’ needs. There are several benefits associated with secondary steel. Here are just some of them: How Is Secondary Steel Used? Given how advantageous secondary steel is, it’s not surprising that it has many industrial applications, including the following: 1. Surface Casing Surface casing is a pipe installed in gas and oil wells. It’s placed near a well to safeguard water sands against leakage or contamination resulting from gas or oil drilling projects. Surface casings are used in concrete pilings in many construction processes, too. 2. Frame Construction Secondary steel can be utilized in forming the frame that supports primary frames in the construction of houses. That kind of support is crucial to ensure that the main frames don’t twist or break. Frames made from secondary steel also help in attaching walls and roofs. These are several common framing parts you may encounter: 3. Pipe Making Recycled steel can also be used to manufacture pipes, which could be irrigation, plumbing, or water pipes. These end products of recycled steel work as well as their counterparts made from primary steel. 4. Packaging Uses Secondary steel can be used in manufacturing food packaging materials and beverage containers. The process involved is usually cost-effective and doesn’t harm the environment. 5. Automobiles Secondary steel is considered a strong and affordable material in the production of some vehicle parts. Even old automobiles are recycled to make new ones. This is possible because steel doesn’t degrade quickly. 6. Home Furniture And Appliances Couches, tables, and chairs can have legs made from secondary steel. When it comes to designing modern furniture, steel can be incorporated in order to come up with stylish designs. What’s more, offices can have modern cabinets and sleek desks manufactured from secondary steel. Lightning fixtures, refrigerators, stoves, and dishwashers have parts constructed from recycled steel as well. These home appliances and furniture are all durable. 7. Signs And Creative Endeavors Secondary steel can be used for outdoor road and entryway signs. Meanwhile, some communities turn to secondary steel to produce outstanding sculptures. These artistic pieces can last a long time. 8. Creation Of New, Sturdy Metal Products With the aid of an electric arc furnace, secondary steel can be refined and turned into quality products. During the process, less energy is used, which ultimately helps in lowering costs. The metals manufactured can be used in railway and bridge construction. Takeaway The use of secondary steel in various industries is increasing. This is because of the benefits that come with this metal, among them being durability and affordability. In the long run, it may help contribute to the reduction of steel materials in landfills. Moreover, utilizing secondary steel is a great way to save on costs associated with primary steel.
The UK’s largest sawmiller and manufacturer of sawn timber products has launched an Accredited Installer Scheme that offers an array of exclusive benefits to contractors across the country. BSW’s Accredited Installer Scheme allows landscapers, joiners and builders to benefit from a wide range of services and support that will help to promote and add value to their business. Benefits include exclusive product training and automatic access to a rewards scheme, whereby installers can earn money just for using BSW products. Installers will also have access to a personalised dashboard on the BSW website, allowing them to promote their specialist services and gain leads for their business. Installers will receive a comprehensive membership pack, which includes BSW product samples, literature and branded merchandise. The scheme is completely free to join and there are no monthly fees involved. By joining installers will gain insider access to BSW’s innovative products and dedicated training for all BSW products, including fencing and landscaping, and the IRO and Alchemy ranges. Ideal for those working within landscaping, contractor and construction roles, the Accredited Installer Scheme will see members listed as approved installers on the BSW website, and members will reap the benefits of an exclusive rewards system – these reward points equate to money off with their local merchants. Alongside their listing as an accredited installer, members can access technical support from the BSW team. They will receive local job referrals, giving them a competitive advantage as a trusted installer, and expertise recommended by BSW. John Roberts, Owner of Greentop Landscapes and Design, was the first member of BSW’s Accredited Installer Scheme. John said: “I’m delighted to be a part of BSW’s Accredited Installer Scheme and it sets the standard for the timber industry. It’s a great opportunity for us landscapers and it’ll help us to secure jobs in the future. The benefits of joining the scheme are endless and I’m chuffed to be a BSW Accredited Installer.” Sian Moreton, AIS Project Manager and National Sales Manager, at BSW said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be able to launch the new BSW Accredited Installer Scheme. This is something we have been perfecting for a while now and we really believe that by working hand in hand with all our fantastic installers as well as our network of suppliers we can help grow all our businesses together. “The new scheme is an amazing opportunity for landscapers to grow their job opportunities all while gaining an in-depth knowledge and working with some of our award-winning timber products.” The Accredited Installer Scheme is already live on the BSW website, and members can sign up for free today. To sign up to the scheme, or to find out more information, simply visit: www.bsw.co.uk/installers
Selco Builders Warehouse has stepped up its commitment to delivering a sustainable future for the business, its customers and colleagues by planting a new forest. In what is believed to be the most significant development of its kind in the builders merchant industry, Selco has directly supported the planting of more than 100,000 trees across 100 acres at a site near Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders to create the Selco Forest. The trees will offset around 8,000 tonnes of carbon during their lifecycle, the equivalent of almost two years of Selco’s customer deliveries, and forms part of a wider package of measures designed to reduce the company’s carbon footprint. Howard Luft, chief executive of Selco Builders Warehouse, believes it is vital the company accelerates its sustainability programme as it looks to its long-term future. He said: “We are proud to be a forward-thinking organisation and there is no doubt in my mind that tackling climate change is the next major global challenge we will face. “Our resilience as a business has been demonstrated throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, during which we have delivered a response built around protecting our customers and our people, the two mainstays of our business, and we will adopt the same strategy around sustainability. “The effect our operations have on the environment has been on the agenda for a number of years but we recognise there is more that needs to be done. “The current priority is to address our carbon emissions. Planting the Selco Forest marks a step change in our actions on this front and we will be planting many hundreds of thousands more trees across the UK in the coming years to extend this project. “However, work on lowering our carbon footprint doesn’t end there. We have already taken steps towards achieving that, including installing LED lighting and a new gas management system across our entire branch network. “We are also overhauling our transport fleet by utilising alternative fuel vehicles – including Compressed Natural Gas and fully electric – in our fleet and removing single fuel petrol and diesel cars from our company car list. “This sustainability journey is a long-term vision and isn’t restricted to the local communities in which we operate but also incorporates the wider Selco family, including manufacturers and suppliers.” Selco has joined forces with the landowner and key timber supplier BSW Timber, together with BSW Timber’s subsidiary companies Tilhill and Carbon Store, to make the Selco Forest a reality. Carine Jessamine, Selco’s marketing director and head of sustainability, added: “The Selco Forest is an important milestone for our sustainability strategy and there will be more announcements on the wider programme in due course. “What is without doubt is that we are committed to continuing our investment in the future by playing our part in protecting our people, the environment and the planet.” With hundreds of trade brands always in stock, Selco’s 70 UK branches are firmly focused on helping tradespeople complete their jobs as quickly and effectively as possible. As well as offering trade services, Selco also has a strong digital presence including Click & Deliver, a Click & Collect service and a new website. For more information on Selco visit www.selcobw.com
Roger Bullivant South East has completed the installation of more than 3,000 Continuous Flight Auger Piles for a major residential scheme with the award-winning developer, Croudace Homes. Roger Bullivant was appointed in 2016 to install over 3,000 300mm diameter Continuous Flight Auger (CFA) piles across four phases to bring forward a development of 475 homes, a community centre, green open space, and a retail unit. Over the last six years and twelve visits, Roger Bullivant has worked in partnership with Croudace Homes to offer a sustainable and virtually vibration-free solution, allowing construction works to continue with minimal disturbances to adjacent buildings and new homeowners. Piles were installed using their in-house designed, 7000 series rigs to pile depths between 9.0 and 18.5m in made ground and weald clay ground conditions. The rigs are equipped with sensitive state-of-the-art instrumentation that monitors the installation of CFA piles, including pile depth, auger rotation, penetration rate, concreting pressure, extraction rate and over-break. CFA piling is drilled and concreted in one continuous operation enabling much faster installation time than bored piles and is one of the quickest forms of piling. This method can be used in ground conditions such as gravel, sand, silts, clay and low strength rock. “It has been very rewarding seeing this major regeneration scheme taking shape. Our collaborative approach has ensured that the project was completed to an award-winning standard despite the disruption of the global pandemic. Ensuring that we worked safely, efficiently and to the high standards we set ourselves is always our number one priority and look forward to working with Croudace Homes again soon,” commented Matt Walpole Area Manager at Roger Bullivant. As construction has developed, the site has been recognised by leading industry awards. In 2019, Croudace Homes was awarded the pride in the job award recognising site managers who achieve the highest standard in housebuilding. In 2020, the ongoing development was Highly Commended in the Best High-Volume New Housing Development category for the South East LABC Building Excellence Awards 2020.
Knauf Insulation’s Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab has earned the industry’s first BBA certification for double layering and for use below the damp proof course (DPC), making it certified for the broadest range of build-ups of any rainscreen solution on the market. “We know how much contractors value the peace of mind that comes from BBA certification,” said Luke Davies, Product Manager at Knauf Insulation. “Our RainScreen Slab is already certified for use in steel frames and behind masonry. Adding these applications and installation methods means customers can rely on Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab to provide a robust and durable solution, certified for all common rainscreen build-ups.” Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is a non-combustible Rock Mineral Wool slab with Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification, which means it complies with the strictest requirements of Approved Document B for dwelling buildings over 18m tall. It is available in the widest range of thicknesses up to 250mm, with a thermal conductivity of 0.034W/mK. Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab can be used in situations where it bridges the DPCs of the inner and outer leaf because it does not absorb water by capillary action. It is manufactured with a water repellent additive which also preserves its integrity while exposed during construction, and it has been wind load tested by the Building Research Establishment to a maximum design pressure of 3,600Pa or 76m/s – the equivalent of a category 5 hurricane. The BBA certification also covers timber frame applications with a masonry outer leaf, and on reinforced concrete substrates. Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is optimised for ease of installation. The improved robustness of the product makes it easy to manoeuvre in place, while still being able to adapt to minor imperfections in the substrate. The product is supported with extensive installation guides, which cover the double layering and below DPC applications. Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is manufactured using ECOSE® Technology, Knauf Insulation’s unique bio-based binder, which contains no added formaldehyde or phenol. Mineral Wool insulation made with ECOSE® Technology is more environmentally friendly than insulation made using traditional oil-based binders. It is also soft to touch, easy to handle, and it generates low levels of dust and VOCs. For more information on Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab, visit https://www.knaufinsulation.co.uk/rainscreen-solutions To speak with a member of the Knauf Insulation Technical Support Team about your project call 01744 766 666.
