Products & Materials : Building Trade Materials News

What does lower occupancy mean for the future of commercial buildings?

London’s Canary Wharf, home to the European headquarters of Barclays, Citigroup, HSBC and many other businesses is currently operating at 10 per cent capacity, with most employees working from home. To put that in perspective, that’s about 12,000 people of the total 125,000 workforce using the buildings. Here, Adam Fox,

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TN International launches fast-track, flexible liquid waterproofing system

Pure Polyurea is a new fast-track waterproofing system from TN International. A next-generation, solvent-free roof waterproofing system with excellent crack-bridging performance has been launched by global waterproofing specialists TN International (TNi). Pure Polyurea is the latest enhancement to TNi’s DacoShield PU cost-effective range of liquid roofing and waterproofing systems which

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Stormcrate55 Proves Its Worth at Showground

Stormcrate55 Proves Its Worth at Showground

When it came to the management and control of surface water run-off at a caravan showground in Hull, StormCrate55, an engineered Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) from Brett Martin was up for the challenge. The static caravan manufacturer’s facility features a newly refurbished showground where customers can view a huge range

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How To Find A Top Rated Local Concrete Contractor

If you want a new concrete parking lot or driveway in your home, then you may consider looking for a reliable concrete contractor in your area. It’s always best to look for a local contractor since they’re more knowledgeable about your area’s soil type, plant and tree populations, as well

Read More »

Kawneer systems help take the wind out of Birmingham’s sails

Curtain walling, windows and doors feature on a 33-storey apartment tower. High performance building façade products manufactured by leading UK manufacturer Kawneer were specified to handle the challenging wind loads on Birmingham’s tallest exclusively residential tower block. Kawneer’s AA®100 zone-drained and capped curtain walling, complemented by AA®720 top-hung ventilator windows

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Wellbeing at risk when converting shops into flats

Building specifiers and contractors must champion a healthy approach to M&E solutions when converting shops into flats according to REHAU, following claims from campaigners that this latest trend could lead to ‘low quality homes’. The move towards turning commercial premises into housing is already underway, with thinktanks like the Social

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Norbord Europe is now part of West Fraser

David Connacher, Marketing Manager, West Fraser, answers your questions 1.    Norbord – who are/were they in a nutshell? As the UK’s number one engineered wood panel manufacturer and serving the housebuilding and construction industry with a vast array of board products for flooring, panelling and roofing, Norbord is the go-to

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Latest Issue
Issue 327 : Apr 2025

Products & Materials : Building Trade Materials News

What does lower occupancy mean for the future of commercial buildings?

London’s Canary Wharf, home to the European headquarters of Barclays, Citigroup, HSBC and many other businesses is currently operating at 10 per cent capacity, with most employees working from home. To put that in perspective, that’s about 12,000 people of the total 125,000 workforce using the buildings. Here, Adam Fox, director of vibration control specialist Mason UK, explains how these quieter times could change the face of London forever. Changing perceptions People’s perception of noise, or tolerance of it, may be different post-Covid. The busy office blocks that were synonymous with London work life have taken a different shape. They’re much, much quieter. Of course, less commuters, also mean London’s roads are a lot quieter too. In fact, in the height of lockdown, reports revealed London was quieter than it was back in 1928. As London begins to return to normal — or closer to normal — will people have become acclimatised to the quieter world? Will returning workers start to notice noise and vibration that they had previously been habituated to? Maybe. On the other hand, working from home for many hasn’t been silent bliss. More people at home, means more people walking around blocks of flats, playing music and undertaking DIY tasks they finally got round to doing. While noise and vibration in London hasn’t completely been obliterated, its shift in form has resulted in increased pressure to manage its effects in both office and residential environments. Changing buildings Buildings that are no longer the packed offices they once were, are likely to become mixed use to rebuild occupancy levels. This will result in office blocks having a mixture of residential and commercial inhabitants. Picture this. While one person is sleeping in their bedroom at night, someone is putting in a late-night overtime shift on the floor above using the photo copier. Similarly, while a business is holding its annual review meeting the next day, a resident above could be playing loud music and exercising. This is a complex challenge for developers. This medley of building applications puts significant onus on noise and vibration control to keep all building users happy. This control could be in the form of floating floors to break vibration transmission, or isolating commercial equipment, such as an industrial photocopier. As we begin to see more of these mixed-used buildings in the post-Covid world, we’ll no doubt begin to see some other challenges emerge too. For example, it is highly likely that both the residents and workers will want a communal gym facility. Gyms are becoming commonplace, but so too are the noise complaints that follow if vibration control isn’t implemented. To make sure weight drops don’t result in nuisance thuds and shudders, vibration breaks will need to be implemented. For gyms, a spring-loaded floating floor is normally the best option for free weight areas but there is not a ‘one fits all’ design as each structure responds differently to impact. The new face of London Property developers need to acknowledge the rising trend in mixed-use buildings and thoroughly consider the increased dynamism of these buildings, the array of people using them and the large range of activities taking place in them. Any acoustic consultants brought onto projects like these are welcome to reach out to Mason UK, to discuss how we can solve your vibration problems. For more information, email info@masonuk.co.uk or visit mason-uk.co.uk.

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TN International launches fast-track, flexible liquid waterproofing system

Pure Polyurea is a new fast-track waterproofing system from TN International. A next-generation, solvent-free roof waterproofing system with excellent crack-bridging performance has been launched by global waterproofing specialists TN International (TNi). Pure Polyurea is the latest enhancement to TNi’s DacoShield PU cost-effective range of liquid roofing and waterproofing systems which have recently been introduced into the manufacturer’s extensive portfolio. DacoShield Pure Polyurea is a two-component, extra fast-curing system that is applied by hot mechanical spraying equipment to waterproof concrete structures such as roofs, podiums, balconies and terraces. More than 800m2 can be applied in a single day, providing an extremely fast-track solution, even in areas difficult to access. The elastomeric membrane is BBA approved and has a Broof T4 fire classification, with a life expectancy of up to 60 years. As well as being solvent free and low-odour, it is also free of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). DacoShield PU liquid waterproofing systems have been specially designed to offer specifiers, contractors and clients a fast-curing, highly durable waterproofing solution for both new-build and refurbishment applications. With a choice of finishes and a full range of accessories, the DacoShield PU range provides a highly flexible, aesthetically pleasing waterproofing option for Modern Methods of Construction.

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Stormcrate55 Proves Its Worth at Showground

Stormcrate55 Proves Its Worth at Showground

When it came to the management and control of surface water run-off at a caravan showground in Hull, StormCrate55, an engineered Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) from Brett Martin was up for the challenge. The static caravan manufacturer’s facility features a newly refurbished showground where customers can view a huge range of homes. Having previously used Stormcrate55 to successfully manage stormwater on a number of other projects, installer Catalogue Engineering undertook the installation for groundworks contractor Evabuild in order to reduce the risk of flooding on this trafficked site during periods of heavy rainfall. Manufactured from 100% recycled plastic, 523m³ of the StormCrate55 modular units were clipped together in a brick bond pattern to create a three tiered underground attenuation tank. With a loading capability of 562kN per m³, their high strength provided more than enough vertical strength for this tarmacked area at the showground. For the installation team, the lightweight crates, weighing only 15.5kg each, were easy to handle and fit together using the connectors and shear pins supplied. “A large amount of crates were required for this sprawling trafficked site,” commented Luke Dekonski of Catalogue Engineering. “The crates are easy to install and very well made, with no sharp corners so there is very low risk of puncturing the impermeable lining, reducing our risk when offering a warranty installation.”   In the event of heavy rains, StormCrate55 has a high void ratio of 95%, which means that the units are highly efficient at storing up to 237.5 litres of water. On this project, the StormCrate55 system was surrounded with an impermeable membrane to create a sealed underground tank. The outlet from this tank is then controlled to facilitate a slow release of the stored water back into the drainage system over a longer period. For infiltration applications, StormCrate55 can also be wrapped in a permeable geotextile, material which allows stored water to slowly seep into the surrounding ground and back into the water table over a period of time. “The StormCrate units are also incredibly versatile which means the structure depth can be varied dependent on the application,” added Luke Dekonski. Suitable for installation in landscaped areas, pedestrianised spaces, playgrounds, parking areas, driveways and access zones, StormCrate55 is seen as one way of addressing the problem of flooding and avoiding using an overloaded sewer system. The use of StormCrate55 has ensured this showground will have a proven rainwater attenuation solution for the long term, reducing demand on the built drainage and the sewerage infrastructure.

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How To Find A Top Rated Local Concrete Contractor

If you want a new concrete parking lot or driveway in your home, then you may consider looking for a reliable concrete contractor in your area. It’s always best to look for a local contractor since they’re more knowledgeable about your area’s soil type, plant and tree populations, as well as climate.  However, just like hiring other professionals, choosing the right concrete contractor who has significant experience can be an overwhelming process. With a variety of options to choose from, it may be difficult to look for the perfect one for your concrete needs.  To help you with your search, here are some tips on how to find a top-rated local concrete contractor: 1. Conduct Research Thoroughly One of the primary ways to help you find the appropriate local contractor for your concrete project is to do thorough research. In today’s modern world, there are various ways to get a nice list of options. These can include: Internet search: With a few Internet searches, you may find an abundant list of potential concrete contractors. For instance, you may use some major search engines like Google, Yahoo, and many more.  Family and friends: Ask your family and friends living in the same local area as you. They may have worked with some of the best concrete contractors in your area so they can recommend someone they know and trust.  If you’re dealing with damaged concrete in Colorado Springs or wherever you may be located and want it repaired as soon as possible, then the fastest way to find a professional concrete contractor is by researching your options. For instance, you can visit website of concrete companies so you can get information and compare to select the best local contractor among them. 2. Compare Estimates You can also find a top-rated local concrete contractor by requesting detailed estimates from your prospects and comparing them to make a hiring decision. When you check estimates, you’ll have an idea of who you’re dealing with and determine whether they’re a great choice in terms of the following: Pricing: It’s one of the essential things to check in the estimate. Be sure to look not only at the overall price but also the breakdown itself. This means you should examine the costs of the base material, coloring, sealer, reinforcement, concrete thickness, and even the down payment. By checking these things, you’ll know whether the total price commensurate with the detailed breakdown.  Specifications: In the contract document, the contractor should also specifically mention the details of the materials to be used, along with a timeline and local suppliers they work with. Moreover, check if the contractor specified how they’re going to tackle the project.  If you want to get estimates from contractors who offer stamped concrete to beautify your home, you may want to click here for more information. 3. Check Experience  Another way to find an exceptional concrete contractor in your area is to look at professional experience and insurance. This means choosing a professional who has been in the business of making concrete for at least five years as their experience will ensure a good level of reliability and stability.  Typically, experienced concrete contractors know exactly what to do by taking an active part in your project and providing insights that can help your concrete project progress smoothly. You can review their portfolio and see samples of their work, especially when it comes to local concrete projects.  4. Request For Contact References Before you choose a local concrete contractor who can help enhance the durability of your outdoor areas and pavements, it’s important to ask them for a list of references. Once you have the list, make sure to contact those references living in your area. This will help you get to know more about your prospects and their work performance.  For example, you can ask questions about the type of concrete project they had, the contractor’s level of communication and involvement, the length of the project, and the opinions of the references. After getting all the information, be sure to use them to make a sound decision. 5. Make Sure They Have Insurance It’s also vital to check your prospective contractor’s insurance. Sometimes, things can possibly go wrong while the work is going on. It can be cumbersome to worry and take care of accidents, injuries, or damages that might happen during the project, especially with the expenses that come with these. That’s why you need to make sure the professional you hire carries sufficient insurance coverage.  Construction insurance protection can include equipment and tools, crime coverage, protection for their work vehicles. While the insurance is more likely to protect the interest and safety of the contractor and their workers, it’s an indication that your prospective contractor is professionally responsible for their business, which also lessens the burden and worries on your end. 6. Measure The Ease Of Communication Another vital way of finding an exceptional local concrete contractor is to measure their ease of communication. This means considering a professional who has friendly and professional behavior. They should be willing to answer your questions and get back to you on time. If the contractor doesn’t call you back or doesn’t want to answer your questions professionally, consider it as a sign to walk away and look for someone else.  Moreover, check whether your potential concrete contractor has a physical office in your area so you can easily go to their office in case online communications aren’t accessible when you need them. The Bottom Line If you’re looking to have a successfully finished concrete project, it’s important to choose the right contractor in your local area. Whether you need some repairs or to build a concrete for your parking area or driveway, you should have a top-rated local concrete contractor who knows how to give the feel and look you want for your concrete surfaces. 

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Travis Perkins plc celebrates Pride month to improve diversity and inclusion

Travis Perkins plc, which is the UK’s largest supplier of building materials and owner of the Travis Perkins builders’ merchants, Toolstation and many specialist trade businesses, is celebrating Pride across the Group. More specifically, colleagues will be using Pride in June to educate themselves on what it means to become good allies to lesbian, gay, bi, trans and questioning (LGBTQ+) people and colleagues. This celebration is integral to the Group’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy – You Be You, It Makes Us Us – to help build a more diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is welcome, feeling that they belong and are comfortable to be themselves. As part of this, the company aims to ensure that everyone knows what it means to be an LGBTQ+ ally, and why it is an important part of creating an environment where LGBTQ+ colleagues and customers can feel safe and comfortable about who they are in and out of the workplace. During Pride, colleagues will be invited to embrace the celebrations through active participation in a raft of activities, ranging from allyship education training to reverse mentoring and local leadership team discussions. Those who feel comfortable will also be encouraged to add their pronouns to their email signatures, wear rainbow laces as part of their uniform in branches and stores nationwide, and dress brightly on Fridays throughout the month to show their support. “Being an ally is about showing support for, and solidarity with, our colleagues from the LGBTQ+ community, and celebrating the diversity of our fantastic business. It requires a curiosity about our colleagues, a desire to educate ourselves, and sometimes, the willingness to step in and stand up to others. An ally shouldn’t be prepared to leave unacceptable behaviour unchallenged. Fostering a work environment where our colleagues can be themselves without fear of discrimination and to feel included and supported is essential to enabling them to be happy and productive.  “We’ll be a better place to work and better able to understand and serve our customers’ needs if our business genuinely reflects the diversity of our society and our customer base. Visibly celebrating and respecting difference is a key part of allyship. It helps us to attract the best people to work with us irrespective of social or ethnic background, gender, sexuality, disability or any other individual characteristics and makes us a stronger, better business,” explained General Counsel & Company Secretary for Travis Perkins plc and a sponsor for the Group’s LGBTQ+ network, Robin Miller. Acording to Stonewall, more than a third are known to hide that they are LGBTQ+ at work for fear of discrimination. Colleagues at Travis Perkins Group hope that through being brilliant allies, they can support LGBTQ+ colleagues and ensure they feel safe and comfortable about who they are, and eliminate any unfair treatment of them.

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Kawneer systems help take the wind out of Birmingham’s sails

Curtain walling, windows and doors feature on a 33-storey apartment tower. High performance building façade products manufactured by leading UK manufacturer Kawneer were specified to handle the challenging wind loads on Birmingham’s tallest exclusively residential tower block. Kawneer’s AA®100 zone-drained and capped curtain walling, complemented by AA®720 top-hung ventilator windows on the first to top floors, with AA®190 TB entrance doors on the ground floor, were specified by Glancy Nicholls Architects for the £30 million 33-storey Left Bank 2 tower. The external façade is constructed of in-situ reinforced concrete frames that were developed over two years by main contractor Wates for developer Regal Property Group, Left Bank 2 is the second tower to feature Kawneer’s aluminium systems at The Bank, between Broad Street and Brindley Place in the city centre. Also funded by real estate investment company Aprirose, Left Bank 2 comprises 217 luxury one to three-bedroomed apartments with private gym, residents lounge and coffee bar, private kitchen and dining room, on-site cycle storage, and secure and private outdoor green space. Featuring 3,580ft2 of ground-floor retail space, it is one of only two residential skyscrapers in the city to measure over 100 metres tall. Left Bank 1 is 21 storeys and features Kawneer’s thermally superior AA®720 windows. Glancy Nicholls’ focus was to respond to the Grade ll listed building that occupies a key part of both the site and its streetscape, and to provide a new public realm link to the adjacent commercial and leisure district. The “brass” building envelope on both towers takes reference from the historical context of the neighbouring Brasshouse building and the site’s brass and metal working heritage. Glancy Nicholls’ Marketing Co-ordinator Sophie Casewell said: “We specified the Kawneer systems for their system performance, particularly in relation to wind loads. “The curtain wall system delivered the required performance to deal with the challenging wind loads on the 33-storey tower, with the site also elevated geographically within Birmingham. The aesthetics of the system also delivered upon the desired design intent.” She added: “The Kawneer glazed elements are a significant element with the façade design and assisted with the aesthetic detailing required. The glass to glass corners maximise daylighting and views across the city. “The client has been very satisfied with the product, with over 70% of the apartments sold by building completion. The glass to glass corner windows were a big selling point and the aluminium material assisted in achieving the client’s sustainable target deliverables.” The Kawneer systems, including AA®100 curtain walling featuring 50mm sightlines, were installed over 18 months by a team of eight operatives from Kawneer-approved specialist sub-contractor APiC UK who also installed the Kawneer windows on Left Bank 1. APiC’s Sales and Estimating Technician Andrew Finn said: “The relationship that was established on the first tower ensured that Wates and Glancy Nicholls had the confidence to proceed on Left Bank 2 using Kawneer products with APiC as their preferred curtain walling sub-contractor.” Left Bank 2 was a finalist in the 2020 Facades Awards UK for Best use of a building facade system using aluminium. Glancy Nicholls have also used Kawneer systems on the St Modwen student residences in Swansea and the John Taylor Free School in Burton.

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BSW Timber, the UK’s largest sawmilling group, has acquired Bayram Timber Ltd

Established over 20 years ago, Bayram is a market leading timber processor and manufacturer, and a key supplier into the UK caravan, leisure home and garden sectors. Operating from a 17 acre site in Melton, East Yorkshire, the business has annual sales of £30 million and employs over 160 people. The acquisition of Bayram will strengthen BSW’s value-added processing capabilities and further broaden BSW’s product offering and service to customers. Following the acquisition, BSW plans to undertake a significant capital investment program in the Melton site to increase capacity and broaden the capabilities of the business. Geoff Goodwin, Chairman of Bayram, said: “We are proud of what we have achieved at Bayram over the last 20 years and delighted to be selling the business to such a good home in BSW. “Bayram has a strong position within the caravan and timber market, and by being a valued supplier into BSW for many years, we feel this acquisition is hugely positive for our employees, customers and the whole supply chain”. Tony Hackney, CEO of BSW, added: “We are very pleased to be strengthening our position in the value-added timber market by acquiring Bayram. The opportunity to enhance our supply chain and additionally widen our product offering is exciting. “This represents another major milestone in the growth of BSW and provides our customers with a more robust and broader range of products. We are looking forward to drawing on the expertise and knowledge of Geoff, Chris Husband and the whole team at Bayram. I would also like to thank the Endless LLP team for their support in acquiring Bayram.” Bayram will be integrated with BSW Timber Solutions Ltd and will continue to operate from the existing site in Melton. Bayram processes 120,000m³ of machined and further refined timber annually, with the support of 160 colleagues. Bayram supplies bespoke components for many markets including garden, caravan manufacturers; timber merchants; and decking and cladding retailers.

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Wellbeing at risk when converting shops into flats

Building specifiers and contractors must champion a healthy approach to M&E solutions when converting shops into flats according to REHAU, following claims from campaigners that this latest trend could lead to ‘low quality homes’. The move towards turning commercial premises into housing is already underway, with thinktanks like the Social Market Foundation suggesting that turning collapsed retail businesses into residential space could create 800,000 new homes. While new Permitted Development Rights ensure space standards will be upheld and extremely small ‘rabbit hutch’ flats avoided, polymer supplier REHAU is exposing further concern with regards to wellbeing being ‘value-engineered’ out of these buildings later on. The warning comes off the back of REHAU’s recent report ‘Designing Healthy Apartments,’ with 44% of architects and specifiers surveyed identifying this issue of later ‘value-engineering’ as a concern during the design process. Over 500 respondents took part in the independent research, with 125 specialising in multi-residential projects. Steve Richmond, Head of Marketing and Technical for REHAU Building Solutions comments: “The new Permitted Development Rights put forward by the housing secretary are a welcome move but it’s not just space utilisation that impacts an occupant’s wellbeing, it’s temperature control, water provision, acoustics, air quality and so on. The worry is that because retrofitting and repurposing existing space can be seen as a less expensive option, there could be pressure to cut corners on fundamental components that improve occupant wellbeing. These actions could also impair a building’s also lifespan, raising further concerns.” Overheating in summer, excess cold in winter, privacy and lack of daylight have also been highlighted as potential issues by Julia Park, the head of housing research at the architects Levitt Bernstein and one of the Mayor of London’s design advocates. Steve continues: “All the issues raised by Julia Park are synonymous with the findings in our latest research, and then some. While we fully support the drive to refurbish and repurpose the abundance of empty office and retail units across the country, there’s a plethora of considerations to take into account when repurposing a building. M&E solutions need to sit at the heart of this rather than being an afterthought.” Designing Healthy Apartments is the first in a series of reports to spotlight on the challenges and opportunities to improve the UK’s commercial buildings by sector.  To download Designing Healthy Apartments, visit:  https://www.rehau.com/uk-en/designing-healthy

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ARDEX UK and Building Adhesives Ltd (BAL) – UK Commercial team announcement

The ARDEX Group is a global is leading solution and service provider of innovative building systems, with 55 subsidiaries and 3,450 employees in over 100 countries on all continents. As part of the ARDEX Group of companies within the UK, both ARDEX UK and Building Adhesives Ltd (BAL) businesses are quite rightly very proud of their history and their own distinct cultures and it is this heritage we have been building on, to progressively develop one culture, with one mindset, with everyone acting as one team and sharing one vision. At the beginning of 2021, ARDEX UK and Building Adhesives Limited (BAL) have moved ahead with the next phase of their “Stronger Together” strategy with a new leadership structure taking responsibility for the UK Commercial teams. Reporting into David Hackett, General Manager – Building Adhesives Ltd (BAL), David Lyman, formerly BAL Sales & Marketing Director will take on the new role of UK Commercial Director with responsibility for the key functional areas of Tiling, Flooring and the Home Improvement Channel (HIC).  UK Marketing and Training will also report into David Lyman.  Andy Reid, formerly ARDEX Business Development Director takes on the recently formed role of UK Business Development Director overseeing major project specification selling across the UK for both ARDEX and BAL, also reporting into David Hackett. Peter Bell remains as the Managing Director of both businesses and member of the ARDEX Group Global Management Committee. As part of his pre-retirement plan until July 2021, Lee Kidd – ARDEX Sales & Marketing Director will provide support to the newly re-structured UK Commercial Team and support the business transformation with his vast experience of the respective markets. The move consolidates the activities of all UK teams and more formally combines the forces of ARDEX and BAL for a stronger and more coordinated approach to the market. Ardex.co.uk Building-Adhesives.com

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Norbord Europe is now part of West Fraser

David Connacher, Marketing Manager, West Fraser, answers your questions 1.    Norbord – who are/were they in a nutshell? As the UK’s number one engineered wood panel manufacturer and serving the housebuilding and construction industry with a vast array of board products for flooring, panelling and roofing, Norbord is the go-to corporate name behind the company’s popular brands for architects, merchants, specifiers, end-users and consumers alike in the UK.  2.    Who is West Fraser? West Fraser is a diversified wood products company with more than 60 facilities in Canada, the United States and Europe.  West Fraser was founded in 1955 when three brothers – Sam, Bill and Pete Ketcham – pooled their resources to buy a small planing mill in Quesnel, British Columbia, Canada From responsibly-sourced and sustainably-managed forest resources, West Fraser produces lumber, engineered wood (OSB, LVL, MDF, plywood, particleboard), and other products including pulp, newsprint, wood chips and renewable energy.  West Fraser’s products are used in construction, repair and remodelling, industrial applications, papers, tissue and box materials.  You can find out more about the company at www.westfraser.com. 3.    Why is the acquisition a good thing?  The two companies are much aligned and share many common values, including a commitment to safety, efficient manufacturing facilities, a focus on continuous improvement and teamwork, as well as manufacturing sustainable products that are essential for a low-carbon economy. Product development and efficient supply chains will also be at the crux of the new organisation due to the merging of experienced teams.  4.    So, has anything changed? Absolutely nothing has changed for our customers. The people are the same, the products are the same, the plants are the same – Norbord Europe now becomes the European arm of West Fraser following the acquisition.  And a bright future awaits. 5.    Are the contact details still the same? The telephone number, and all the mobile numbers of contacts, have not changed. The website has a new name – www.uk.westfraser.com 6.    Will the names of the brands and products change? No. The existing brands are market-leading and hugely successful. They are well known and have been part of the UK business landscape for years, if not decades. They will remain as they are the company’s stock-in-trade – literally.  SterlingOSB Zero, CaberBoard, CaberFloor and CaberWood MDF, for example, will still be readily available. 7.    Will you still be supplying the same customers/merchants?  Yes – there will be no change to our supply network. Simon Woods, European Sales, Marketing & Logistics Director, West Fraser explains, “The joining of our two companies is a very exciting move for us in Europe. To list West Fraser’s long standing core beliefs – efficiency, modern mills, responsibility and leadership in environmental performance, the active involvement of employees in the business, a commitment to safety and a relentless pursuit of excellence in everything we do – is to echo Norbord’s. There is a huge opportunity for us to grow and develop in Europe – together. We are looking forward to a bright future!” For further information call 01786 812 921 or visit www.uk.westfraser.com

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