Sand is an essential component in most modern buildings. It’s used to create foundations, construct columns, make plasters, and more. What many consumers don’t realize is that there are actually many types of sand, each of which is used for particular applications. Before so much as beginning to lay a
Aluminium glazing systems by Kawneer feature at Welsh University’s new creative and digital centre. Architectural glazing systems by leading UK manufacturer Kawneer played a key role in a new state-of-the-art building which is at the heart of Wales’ creative and digital future. Kawneer’s AA®110 curtain walling, AA®720 doors and window
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
Sand is an essential component in most modern buildings. It’s used to create foundations, construct columns, make plasters, and more. What many consumers don’t realize is that there are actually many types of sand, each of which is used for particular applications. Before so much as beginning to lay a foundation, property owners and contractors new to their professions should take the time to familiarize themselves with the different sizes and shapes of sand available. They range from fill sand to frac sand, mason sand, and beyond. Read on to find out about frac sand and other available options and get some helpful tips for choosing the right one. Tip #1: Learn the Types of Sand Sand is a fine aggregate derived from natural sources such as the beach or created by crushing rock into tiny granules. Each type of sand is derived from different source materials, with frac sand on the finer end of the spectrum usually composed primarily of quartz, which produces a durable, uniform grain and concrete sand from a combination of gneiss, trap rock, granite, and limestone. The types of sand used in construction are typically coarser and slightly larger. Pit sand, river sand, and concrete sand all play important roles in construction in that they are all frequently used for concrete foundations and pads. Their non-uniform shape and larger size create stronger cement. Tip #2: Understand the Applications Don’t just buy a bunch of sand and assume that it will be a good fit for any project. Determine exactly which building applications will require sand in advance and purchase one or more of the varieties of sand described above to meet the project’s unique needs. Mixing concrete is just one application for sand in a building project. Fill sand, an aggregate composed of grains of many shapes and sizes is perfect for raising areas that need filling in since it can be compacted and it drains better than many other varieties. For finishing work that requires plastering, mason’s sand offers a consistently fine grit and uniform shape that provides a smoother finish. Tip #3: Choose a Reputable Supplier The best way to ensure that the sand being used in a building project is the right coarseness and size is to find a reliable supplier. Work with a company that offers a variety of different sands and will offer detailed information about each of its products. Some suppliers produce their own sand, while others purchase it from mines or manufacturers. Don’t be afraid to ask about the source of the sand and what kinds of testing its manufacturer uses to ensure consistent quality. This is especially relevant when buying manufactured sand, or M-sand, which comes in a wide variety of gradations, colors, and levels of purity. Even natural sand should undergo batch testing for potential impurities and careful screening to ensure that it meets buyers’ specifications. The Bottom Line There are a lot of different varieties of sand out there and each has a different intended application. When choosing sand for a new construction project, project managers should be particular about where their sand is coming from and how its manufacturer has tested its quality. They should work with a supplier that has representatives available to answer questions they may have and should be confident they’re working with the right materials to produce the best possible results.
Aluminium glazing systems by Kawneer feature at Welsh University’s new creative and digital centre. Architectural glazing systems by leading UK manufacturer Kawneer played a key role in a new state-of-the-art building which is at the heart of Wales’ creative and digital future. Kawneer’s AA®110 curtain walling, AA®720 doors and window vents, and series 190 doors feature on the £10 million new creative and digital centre, Canolfan S4C Yr Egin, located on the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s (UWTSD) Carmarthen campus. Specified by BDP architects, they were installed over 10 months by a team of up to eight from Kawneer-approved dealer APiC UK for main contractor Kier Construction. The AA®110 zone-drained curtain walling with 65mm sightlines was used alongside Kawneer’s thermally superior AA®720 doors and series 190 automatic entrance doors on the ground floor which houses a spacious public café alongside performance space and auditorium as well as resources for community groups and offices for the building’s administrative staff. The AA®110 system also features on the first floor, which is let to the centre’s main anchor tenant – Welsh language broadcaster S4C – for its headquarters (corporate, communications, finance, business affairs and legal departments) alongside actuator-operated AA®720 top-hung, open-out window vents. And it also features on the third floor, which is let to a number of different companies working in the creative and digital sector, as well as on a clerestory lantern above an atrium which overarches the three storeys. Many of these tenants will offer work experience to UWTSD students, allowing them to make the most of the university’s connections during their studies. BDP’s award-winning design was based on the close relationship between the university, prospective tenants of the centre and the wider community. This relationship, or trinity, is reflected in its form – a simple triangle that grows from Carmarthenshire’s soil, a titular reference to Yr Egin – a Welsh play on words referencing energy and birth. The layout of the building encourages collaboration, communication and interaction between all users of the building, where initial ideas can be shared and developed – an incubator for the establishment of new companies and a breeding ground for a new generation of creative and technical people. Externally, the theme of trinity is expressed through the use of differing materials in a tripartite arrangement – a dynamic, reflective volume is seen to float over a solid plinth at ground level and a translucent intermediate layer reinforces the distinction between plinth and reflective object. The 3,600m2 building is linked to the main campus by a large public square which allows for the staging of a variety of outdoor activities in its stunning Carmarthenshire location between the Pembrokeshire coast and the Brecon Beacons. On the use of Kawneer’s systems, BDP’s project architect noted: “As most of the façade comprises curtain wall we needed a system that could meet a wide range of performance requirements. We specified Kawneer due to their extensive range of features which met the functional and aesthetic demands of the project. “The Kawneer curtain walling had a key role in the project. As a naturally ventilated building it has an active façade that reacts to changing environmental conditions. The Kawneer system houses the various components that protect the interior from the elements while allowing air to flow through. “A key element of the building’s aesthetic was to create a distinct character for each level of the building – a challenge for a facade almost entirely constructed from curtain wall. This challenge was met by the extensive range of Kawneer features, especially the fin capping, which was vital to the characterisation of the different elements of the facade.” The durability, strength to weight ratio and life cycle benefits of aluminium were key factors in the consideration of Kawneer’s system when specifying the external envelope. APiC UK senior sales and estimating technician Andrew Finn said: “Working with Kawneer we were able to offer solutions for all the differing project requirements including profiled vertical faced caps with new dies for the 100mm and 150mm profiles to the ground-floor curtain wall which was specified to accommodate the vertical movement of the building. “The 100mm, 150mm and 200mm vertical faced caps provide a strong vertical emphasis to the curtain wall. The use of differing sizes and finishes to these are designed to provide a ‘flickering effect”. Canolfan S4C Yr Egin was opened by the Rt Hon Carwyn Jones AM, first Minister of Wales, in October 2018 and has since won a RICS Wales award for best commercial building. RICS judges said the team behind the project – including Mott McDonald, BDP, Rural Office for Architecture, and the University of Wales Trinity St David – had succeeded in designing a scheme that encouraged occupiers to collaborate, network and exchange information and ideas, to innovate and create jobs. For further information about Canolfan S4C Yr Egin, please visit https://yregin.cymru/
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