An award for the UK’s Most Ethical / Sustainable Manufacturer of the Year at the 2019 has been won by Ibstock Brick, a business division of Ibstock plc. Organised by leading business publisher, INSIDER Media, the Made in the UK Awards took place in Coventry on June 20th 2019. The
Shelter is one of the most important needs of humans today. This can be shelter for habitation or for business purposes. Putting up an adequate shelter has however never been the easiest or most affordable project that anyone can take up. The cost, time and other factors that come into
Willmott Dixon has created a unique programme to help the construction industry tackle its skills shortages by setting up the first of what it hopes will be a series of academies within prison environments that help former offenders find jobs on their release Willmott Dixon Building Lives Drylining Academy has
Parker Building Supplies (Parkers) has acquired, with the support of its strategic partner, Cairngorm Capital, the Sussex Turnery and Moulding Company Limited (Stamco). Parker said that the move is a “key step” in their strategy to expand its business through a combination of acquisitions, new site development and organic growth.
RCM have recently purchased their own branded delivery vehicle in order to guarantee a better service to their customers. RCM, the complete though wall solutions provider, have invested in their own company delivery vehicle in order to better meet customer’s requirements. In the past, RCM, part of the Benx group
A new low carbon cement solution has been launched by Aggregate Industries business Lafarge Cement. Lafarge Endure SR is a high performance, low carbon, CEM II blend cement. It blends Portland fly ash (PFA) with clinker, which results in a lower embodied CO2, as well as improved plastic and hardened
BASF SE has kicked off a sale process for its construction chemical business, which could fetch about 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion), people with knowledge of the matter said. The German company has started to contact select interested parties, a BASF representative said in response to Bloomberg queries, declining to
Leading suppliers, manufacturers and merchants descended upon The Brewery, London earlier this month for one of the most hotly anticipated fixtures on the builder’s merchants’ calendar: the BMJ Industry Awards. Södra Wood had an excellent year, victorious in the Best Timber Brand category after receiving a great response in the
The government has confirmed that it will allocate £200 million to fix private tower blocks that are wrapped in combustible aluminium composite material cladding, the same kind that sent the Grenfell Tower block up in flames back in June 2017, claiming the lives of 72 people. This decision is a
Zinsser, the brand famous for solving painting and decorating problems, celebrates 170 years of producing industry leading paints, primers and removal solutions. The Zinsser brand was originally created in 1849, when William Zinsser set up the United States’ first shellac beaching plant on Manhattan’s west side and introduced shellac paint
An award for the UK’s Most Ethical / Sustainable Manufacturer of the Year at the 2019 has been won by Ibstock Brick, a business division of Ibstock plc. Organised by leading business publisher, INSIDER Media, the Made in the UK Awards took place in Coventry on June 20th 2019. The event – one of the largest of its kind – was the national finals. Ibstock Brick had previously impressed judges in the regional round; the company won in the same category at the Made in the Midlands Awards in early May. Having won commendations for its sustainability commitments and progress at five high-profile awards ceremonies over the last 8 months, Ibstock Brick is now widely recognised as leading the field in terms of sustainable manufacturing. As the UK’s leading brick manufacturer, Ibstock Brick believes the secret of its sustainability success is a combination of clear goals and ambitions – as identified within its Sustainability Roadmap 2015 – and its unique People First approach. The Made in the UK Awards judges felt Ibstock Brick “…went above and beyond policy and regulations to embed a sustainability strategy”. Commenting on the Made in the UK Awards 2019 win, Michael McGowan, said: “We are all absolutely delighted that Ibstock Brick has been called to the winners’ podium once again. This latest award offers proof that our hard-working team is doing the right things and our people led strategies are working. “Looking more widely, we hope that our approach inspires our peers in the fields of commerce, technology and manufacturing to go ‘the extra mile’ in terms of their own sustainability goals and targets. Whilst the journey to greater sustainability can be a long and challenging one, it is certainly very rewarding and it is a path we are absolutely committed to.”
Shelter is one of the most important needs of humans today. This can be shelter for habitation or for business purposes. Putting up an adequate shelter has however never been the easiest or most affordable project that anyone can take up. The cost, time and other factors that come into play during this process has made it difficult for many to setup a suitable structure for their habitation, business or other activities. In this article, we are going to review a structural option that is making it easier for folks to have the kind of structures they need for their businesses and other functions. Canvas or fabric covered buildings are also known by a lot of other names. Some examples include Tension Fabric Building, Fabric Tent Structure, Fabric Shelters, Clear-Span Fabric Buildings, Tension Membrane Structures, Cover-All Buildings and other such names. Whenever you come across any of these names, they all refer to the same thing. You can learn more about it here. Benefits Why exactly are we taking the time to look at this option for setting up buildings? There are a number of benefits that this option offers. This will explain why it is steadily increasing in popularity. Let us quickly enumerate a few benefits that it offers. Hopefully these will explain why many individuals and companies alike are turning to it for their structural needs. Versatility These structural solutions have a wide range of applications. Some of these include: commercial activities, event centers and venues, sports facilities, fairs, rallies, churches, warehousing, airplane hangars, emergency shelters, storage units and many other such uses. There is hardly any type of structural use that it cannot be adapted to. This versatility makes it perfect for a wide range of industries, locations and applications. Quick and Easy Setup Building a brick and mortar structure will take a pretty long time when compared to this. The relative ease and speed with which these structures can be setup make them perfect for emergency situations where brick and mortar structures cannot be put up. Aside from the speed, the cost for setting it up is also lower. You therefore get a structure that can be setup faster, more easily and at a more affordable rate. It’s an all-round win. Low Operational and Maintenance Cost After setting up, there is the issue of operational and maintenance cost. This option drastically reduces both costs. For example, using a clear-span fabric allows natural light to shine into the structure, removing the need for artificial lighting which would have otherwise meant additional energy costs. For maintenance, with no walls and other surfaces that may require regular attention, maintenance costs are restricted to ensuring the continued integrity of the frame and fabric. This also drastically reduces the cost that would have been accumulated as a result of sundry maintenance processes in a regular building. Mobility This is another major benefit that this structural option offers. Permanent or brick and mortar structures cannot be moved from one location to another. Once an operation relocates, new facilities have to be built or rented to accommodate the operations at its new location. With fabric covered buildings, the facility can be deconstructed, transported to the new location and then reconstructed on the new site. This no doubt is a massive cost saver as the only costs that will be incurred will be for the purchase or hiring of a new site, deconstruction, transportation and reconstruction of the structure. These costs can in no way compare to having to erect a totally new facility with new materials in a new location. Eco-Friendly For those who are very concerned about the environment (as we all should), a lot of the materials used for the fabrics are usually recyclable. With some of these fabrics lasting for up to 20 to 30 years and then being recycled, the impact of their use on the environment is totally negligible. How to Set One Up How exactly can one go about setting up fabric covered buildings? Local Building Codes The very first thing you need to do is find out the local laws regarding the setting up such a structure. Each locality prepares regulations to guide the erection of any kind of structure based on their unique weather and climatic conditions. Knowing and abiding by these codes will increase the safety of your building while also keeping you from contravening the laws of the locality. Adequate Foundation Next, you need to build the right foundation to hold what you are about to setup. The type of foundation you will require will depend on the type and size of structure you are planning on putting up. It will also depend on the use to which you want to put the structure. The foundation must be adequate to support its type, size and use. Choosing the Right Fabric The fabric you choose to lay over your building’s frame is very important. Your choice of fabric should among other things be based on your location, the size of the structure and the proposed length of use. Some fabrics are better suited for very short term use while others are better for long use as well as use in strong winds and difficult weather. If you do not choose the right fabric, you may find yourself staring at the open heavens if conditions the fabric can’t handle hits it. Working with Professionals This is probably one of the most important factors to consider. Working with professionals practically ensures that every other thing listed above is adhered to. A professional will likely ensure that the right foundation is built, the right fabric is chosen and the proper setup procedures are observed. If you also do not know where or how to get the right materials, a professional will likely help you out. It may therefore be in your best interest to actually begin the process by talking to a professional or company that has the experience and capacity to handle these kinds of
Willmott Dixon has created a unique programme to help the construction industry tackle its skills shortages by setting up the first of what it hopes will be a series of academies within prison environments that help former offenders find jobs on their release Willmott Dixon Building Lives Drylining Academy has teamed up with HMP Elmley to provide offenders with drylining skills and a CSCS card to help them move straight into employment when back in the community. It comes after the CITB’s annual Construction Skills Network report recently predicted approximately 168,500 jobs will be created in construction over the next five years to meet demand. The launch was made possible after Willmott Dixon and its supply chain converted a warehouse inside the prison into a drylining academy facility. They have also equipped prison officers with accredited skills necessary to deliver six week long in-house courses for prison residents, a sustainable and replicable training model believed to be a UK first. The academy aims to upskill over 100 HMP Elmley residents each year so they are ‘job ready’ on release and ready to find careers in construction. Willmott Dixon’s supply chain partners and local job agencies are part of the process to help them find work, which is important as it is estimated that only 17% of former offenders quickly get work on release, with re-offending more likely for those who are unemployed. This is the third Building Lives Academy launched by Willmott Dixon within the last 12 months. Its academies in Croydon and Kingston, based adjacent to construction projects being delivered in these two London boroughs, have already equipped over 150 young unemployed people with key construction skills. Candidates who attend at Croydon and Kingston get a Level 1 Certificate in Construction Operations, Level 1 Certificate in Health and Safety at Work, plus a CSCS card. Afterwards, candidates are supported to apply for work with Willmott Dixon, supply chain partners or other construction opportunities advertised by a local employment service. The academies are part of Willmott Dixon’s ‘purpose beyond profit’ ethos to play an active role in strengthening the well-being of society through the contribution of its people. Last year, four out of five Willmott Dixon people undertook a community-related project as part of the company’s volunteering policy. Willmott Dixon’s regional head of legacy, Richard Pickett, said: “It’s a logical step to tap into the potential of people who are in prison but keen to find a sustainable and rewarding job on release. Our industry needs to constantly think of imaginative new ideas if we are to attract the people we need and this is a very replicable model that’s easy to migrate to other UK prisons.” Andy Davy, HMP Elmley deputy governor, said: “HMP Elmley and the Reducing ReOffending team are excited to be working in partnership with Willmott Dixon. Being able to better prepare our residents with the appropriate skills to transition straight into employment upon release is a priority for the Prison. Employment is a definite contributor to the reduction in offending behaviour and helps to build stronger family stability.”
Parker Building Supplies (Parkers) has acquired, with the support of its strategic partner, Cairngorm Capital, the Sussex Turnery and Moulding Company Limited (Stamco). Parker said that the move is a “key step” in their strategy to expand its business through a combination of acquisitions, new site development and organic growth. Parkers aims to become the market-leading independent builders’ merchant in the South East of England. The acquisition was prompted by the retirement of owners, Mike Cullis and Roger Brightiff, who will remain in the business short-term, to ensure an effective handover and a smooth transition. Managing Director, John Cornelius, will join the Parkers senior management team to contribute to the combined company’s growth strategy. “Once Mike and I had taken the decision to retire, our priority was to find a partner with shared goals and values who would help Stamco to fulfil its potential. Both companies have common heritage, outstanding product quality and commitment to the highest standards of customer service, which makes this partnership a very good fit. We are confident that Stamco is in very capable hands and that it will continue to thrive and prosper,” commented Roger Brightiff, owner of Stamco. The acquisition offers Parkers the opportunity for geographic expansion and to extend its product range. The new enlarged business will continue to be headquarted in Polegate, Sussex, has 20 branches across Sussex and Kent, with combined revenues of more than £100 million and over 450 employees. “Our goal is to become the leader in the independent builders’ merchant sector in the South East. To do this we have been working to build a customer-focused business, with great products, outstanding customer service and a strong, expanding branch network. Stamco has very similar values and ambitions to us and a skilled and committed workforce, so this partnership offers the potential for exciting opportunities going forward,” said Chris Maityard, Parkers’ Managing Director.
RCM have recently purchased their own branded delivery vehicle in order to guarantee a better service to their customers. RCM, the complete though wall solutions provider, have invested in their own company delivery vehicle in order to better meet customer’s requirements. In the past, RCM, part of the Benx group of companies, arranged deliveries of their building boards and facades through large third party hauliers. Whilst still utilising this delivery network, the additional ownership of a 26t rigid vehicle brings with it many advantages. Investing in process improvements that will benefit and support their customers by providing more efficient and cost-effective services has been one of RCM’s main commitments. Some of the obvious benefits will include the ability to exercise greater control over the distribution to better address customer’s requirements. Operating costs will be better managed and there will be clear improvements on driver’s MPG. The number of drops per day can also be better managed, thus ensuring optimization and efficiency on a national scale. RCM will be able to improve their customer service, by reducing the reliance on third party providers. There will be a guaranteed capacity at all times, with the ability to support RCM’s customers on a postcode/network basis. The latest specification Euro 6 vehicle brings improved fuel consumption and less emissions and therefore is better for the environment. “Delivery of our building boards and façades ranges to high value projects is now even better serviced by the recent investment in the company owned delivery vehicle. It will allow us to act much quicker and more efficiently to our customer’s needs and requirements.” (Ian Quinton, Managing Director, RCM)
A new low carbon cement solution has been launched by Aggregate Industries business Lafarge Cement. Lafarge Endure SR is a high performance, low carbon, CEM II blend cement. It blends Portland fly ash (PFA) with clinker, which results in a lower embodied CO2, as well as improved plastic and hardened properties when used in concrete. Unlike a CEM I blend, Lafarge Endure SR is suitable for all ground types. Sulphates in the ground can negatively impact CEM I blends. However, Lafarge Endure SR is resistant to sulphates, allowing contractors and suppliers to scope a wider variety of projects including those that may have previously been hindered by ground type. Once hardened, Lafarge Endure SR can be used to DC-4 durability standard and can help increase the life of the structure thanks to its resistance to carbonation and chloride and sulphate attack. This makes it ideal for practically any situation, from producing ready-mixed and precast concrete, to marine, grouting and tunnelling applications. “As its name suggests, Lafarge Endure SR is designed to dramatically increase the longevity of the concrete it forms a part of. It is a great solution for contractors that want to reduce the environmental impact of their build while simultaneously improving its life span,” said Steve Curley, Commercial Director at Aggregate Industries. “In addition to its lower embodied CO2, Lafarge Endure SR uses 10 percent less water than CEM I to reach workable consistency and offers improve pumpability and mixing efficiency. Each of these benefits adds up to a cement that is truly forward-thinking,” he added.
BASF SE has kicked off a sale process for its construction chemical business, which could fetch about 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion), people with knowledge of the matter said. The German company has started to contact select interested parties, a BASF representative said in response to Bloomberg queries, declining to comment further. Carlyle Group LP and building-materials maker Standard Industries Inc. are among potential suitors considering offers for the unit, the people said.It could also attract interest from other private equity firms including Bain Capital, Cinven and KKR & Co., according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the information is private. The BASF unit generated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of 245 million euros last year on 2.4 billion euros of sales, the people said. Potential bidders may seek to value the business at around 11 times earnings, according to two of the people. BASF expanded in construction chemicals through its 2006 acquisition of a Degussa AG unit. The German company has struggled with scale as well as the complexity of the market, since local construction techniques can differ even from country to country. Consolidation in the building-materials industry has strengthened the hand of enlarged companies when negotiating with suppliers of grouts, mortars and admixtures, which are added before or after mixing cement to enhance properties like drying times and water content. BASF Chief Executive Officer Martin Brudermueller announced a strategic review of the business in October, and the company has said it aims to reach an agreement by the end of this year. Any transaction would add to the $34 billion in acquisitions of European chemical and industrial companies announced this year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. CVC Capital Partners agreed in January to sell Parex Group to Sika AG for 2.5 billion Swiss francs ($2.5 billion) including debt, valuing the French producer of construction chemicals at 12.8 times earnings. No final decisions have been made, and there’s no certainty the suitors will proceed to submit offers for the BASF business, the people said. Representatives for Bain, Carlyle, Cinven, KKR and Standard Industries declined to comment.
Leading suppliers, manufacturers and merchants descended upon The Brewery, London earlier this month for one of the most hotly anticipated fixtures on the builder’s merchants’ calendar: the BMJ Industry Awards. Södra Wood had an excellent year, victorious in the Best Timber Brand category after receiving a great response in the industry voting stage. On winning the award, Södra Wood UK’s Managing Director, Simon Henry, commented: “To receive such recognition from the industry within only a couple of years of really investing in the UK market is testament to the type of business Södra is: focused on meeting industry needs, delivering sustainable timber supply and generating long-term partnerships with everyone we work with. “This award is fantastic recognition for all of the hard work and dedication of the Södra UK team. I was truly humbled at the ceremony, and I’d just like to again thank all of those who have supported Södra and voted for us. We really value the support.” The award caps off what has been a stellar 18 months for Södra. Last year, Södra celebrated its 80th anniversary and recently announced news of best-ever financial results and plans to expand its production of cross-laminated timber. Simon says this success is due, in part, to Södra’s “long-term approach.” He commented: “As a business, we’re committed to a continued focus on growth, sustainability and innovation. But central to all of that is the long-term relationships we build with the people we work with. It’s why this award is so special, because it’s voted for by those in the industry.” For more information, please visit www.sodra.uk
The government has confirmed that it will allocate £200 million to fix private tower blocks that are wrapped in combustible aluminium composite material cladding, the same kind that sent the Grenfell Tower block up in flames back in June 2017, claiming the lives of 72 people. This decision is a response to the anger over freeholders and developers that have refused to fund the costs of replacing the hazardous cladding in their buildings. Whilst many have praised the funding as a “step in the right direction”, there are concerns that the amount is just not enough. Two Years Since Grenfell On 14th June 2017, a fire broke out in the 24-storey Grenfell Tower block of flats in North Kensington, West London. It was the deadliest structural fire in the UK since 1988 and the worst residential fire since World War II. The fire was started by a malfunctioning fridge-freezer on the fourth floor and spread rapidly up the building’s exterior. The devastating spread of the fire that claimed so many lives and injured many more was attributed to the building’s cladding. Grenfell’s exterior cladding was aluminium sandwich plates with polyethylene core and insulation made of PIR (polyisocyanurate) foam plates. According to the police, both of these materials later failed fire safety tests that were conducted after the fire. It was later discovered that the project team for Grenfell chose the cheaper, combustible material despite the nationwide warning that the combustible insulation used should only be used with cladding that does not burn. There are estimated to be 600 high-rise blocks of flats in the UK that have similar cladding to that in Grenfell. In October 2018, the government announced plans to ban flammable cladding on newly built buildings, however, it has been argued that it should be banned in its entirety, also applying to existing buildings. Leaseholders Facing a Crisis Thousands of people across the UK reside in tower blocks that use the same kind of cladding as Grenfell. As a result, residents have been suffering bouts of stress, depression and suicidal feelings; living in unsafe homes is taking a serious toll on people’s mental health. Whilst some landlords have stepped up and vowed to replace their building’s cladding with safer materials, others have refused to pay. Some leaseholders have been forced to start their own 24-hour patrols of their buildings to ensure that fires don’t break out, whilst other’s homes have become unsaleable. For developers refusing to pay for cladding replacement, the costs have been passed onto their leaseholders who have been footed with the bill. This has caused a deadlock between leaseholders who cannot afford to pay, and developers who say they are not obliged to pay under law. Leaseholders are facing bills of tens of thousands each to fix the buildings. In Burton Place in Manchester, the residents were told that they would be facing a bill of £80,000 each for repairs to replace wooden cladding, combustible insulation and missing fire breaks. Of the recent funding announcement, Prime Minister Theresa May said: “It is of paramount importance that everybody is able to feel and be safe in their homes. That is why we asked building owners in the private sector to take action and make sure appropriate safety measures were in place. “And we’ve seen a number of private building owners doing the right thing and taking responsibility, but unfortunately too many are continuing to pass on the costs of removal and replacement to leaseholders.” People fearing another disaster on the scale of Grenfell are looking to their representatives for answers. It is clear that there is mass confusion as to why, after widespread acceptance that fire safety remediation is needed, two years later thousands have been left to live in homes that are unsafe, and so far, very little has been done. The safety threats of living in buildings with unsafe cladding combined with the financial stress of not being able to afford to the costs of replacement is said to be ruining lives. How Far Will £200 Million Go? The £200 million in funding comes after lobbying from leaseholders who said the unsafe cladding in their buildings was making them fear for their lives in their own homes. And after the government’s preferred solution of asking building owners to do the right thing and pay for the work has failed, this funding is a much needed welcome. However, the UK Cladding Action Group that launched a campaign back in March to secure the funding for residential properties have stressed that the money, whilst welcomed, will not cover the costs of removing all the cladding. One of the founders of the group, Rituparna Saha, lives in Northpoint block in Bromley, where leaseholders are facing combined costs of £3.5 million for cladding replacement alone. She claims that news sets up a “cladding lottery”, as the funding will only cover aluminium composite material (ACM) panels which helped spread the fire in Grenfell, but combustible non-ACM cladding would not be covered. Latest figures show that, of the 176 buildings identified as having ACM cladding since the disaster, 166 of those have yet to have had any work started on them. The funds will be made available to remove the cladding from these high-rise buildings across England. Building owners will have three months to claim the funds, with the condition that they take “reasonable steps” to recover the costs from those responsible for the cladding’s presence, citing that the Government has “committed to cover the cost temporarily”. Grenfell United, a group of survivors and the bereaved, have praised the news as offering hope to people who feel at risk at home. This article was written by Stephen Horin, Managing Director at Bushbury Cladding. Bushbury Cladding are a family run business who have been supplying corrugated steel roofing sheets and wall cladding sheets for many years.
Zinsser, the brand famous for solving painting and decorating problems, celebrates 170 years of producing industry leading paints, primers and removal solutions. The Zinsser brand was originally created in 1849, when William Zinsser set up the United States’ first shellac beaching plant on Manhattan’s west side and introduced shellac paint products to the US market. Zinsser now manufactures its range of UK products in County Durham and has remained true to William Zinsser’s principals of quality and innovation by continuously producing world-class, professional quality and fast-drying formulas that make problem solving simple. Whether you’ve got graffiti to cover up, fire damage, or a big issue with mould and mildew, Zinsser products are the muscle you need to wipe out all decorating nightmares in the home or on commercial projects, quickly and for good. The Zinsser range of products include professional coatings for interior and exterior use and each of Zinsser’s paints, primers and removal solutions can be depended upon to do the job right, making the brand a must-have in any decorators van and a top-seller for paint merchants. One of Zinsser’s most popular products which has never been matched or bettered is B-I-N®, the original shellac-base primer-sealer. This “silver bullet” primer, sealer and stain killer offers unparalleled adhesion to glossy surfaces, dries in just 15 minutes and is recoatable in 45 minutes, saving both time and money. B-I-N’s unique formula gives it unsurpassed stain-killing power and covers everything unwanted, from water damage, to fire damage and more. It’s the best primer for sealing interior wood and is the “go to” for spot priming knots or sap streaks inside and out, making it a key staple in any decorators van. A newer customer favourite in the range is Zinsser AllCoat Exterior, available in Matt, Satin and Gloss finishes. This clever paint offers resistance to mould, cracking, blistering and flaking as well as rain and severe weather. Suitable for use with all exterior surfaces, such as wood, metal, masonry, plastic concrete and cladding, it forms a low-maintenance water-shedding coating in one hour and can be painted with a second coat after one hour. This self-priming paint is another superior product that enables jobs to be completed quickly, efficiently and brilliantly. As Zinsser AllCoat Exteriorpaint can be matched to any RAL / BS or NCS colour reference, including designer colours. Alongside an outstanding problem solving product range, Zinsser also ensures decorators and DIYers are armed with the correct knowledge to use products efficiently, ensuring each job is competed correctly. The Zinsser Pocket Guide, which is available as an app and printed book, is packed with expert advice on primers and finishing substrates, with detailed guidance and specialist product recommendations. Zinsser’s UK-based Technical Support team are on hand to answer any questions and offer expert advice. They can quickly tell you which product is best suited to a job, give advice on the best method of application and help establish how much paint is needed. Zinsser’s UK based specification service is also available free of charge, often working with professional specifiers, architects, maintenance managers, FM companies, property owners and professional on-site spray contractors to solve a wide variety of painting problems. The experienced team helps at every stage of a project, from initial survey through to specification and application of coatings, providing on-site advice, training and technical assistance.
