As a society, we seem to be more conscious of our wellbeing than ever before. In all aspects of life, we’re more aware and informed of the things that have an impact on our bodies and minds, and an ongoing stream of new research continues to fuel that fire. Amidst
A steel manufacturer is aiming to grow its turnover by £1million and create new jobs after securing a substantial grant. Fabweld Steel Products (FSP) was awarded £30,000 from the European Regional Development (ERDF)’s Business Growth Programme as part of an overall £94,500 investment to improve production process and systems at
Donaldson Timber Engineering (DTE), the UK’s leading manufacturer of structural timber components, today (Thursday 1st November) announces the acquisition of Cambridge Roof Truss. The strategic acquisition has an excellent geographic fit with DTE’s present business and will further supplement its existing product offering across Southern and Midlands regions of the
Donaldson Timber Engineering (DTE), the manufacturer of structural timber components, has expanded its offering with the acquisition of Cambridge Roof Truss. The strategic acquisition will further supplement its existing product offering across Southern and Midlands regions of the UK. “The acquisition of Cambridge Roof Truss further extends our reach in
Fixmart Limited, the UK supplier of construction products, has implemented the PODFather System, in order to improve its customer service, productivity, visibility and client communication. With the help of the System, Fixmart’s customer service team will be able to schedule and monitor time-critical deliveries for clients to sites across London
Following the acquisition of Lagan Group by Breedon Group earlier this year, Lagan’s brick, tile and bagged cement products have been rebranded as Breedon. The company manufactures a comprehensive range of concrete roof tiles, clay facing bricks and bagged cement which it supplies to builders’ merchants across the UK and
Casters are wheels that can be mounted directly to almost any piece of furniture, cabinetry, or machinery to create versatility within the space. They provide ease of mobility as well as shock absorption and protection from damage to floors and backs. Ergonomic movement of your equipment allows you to safely
An acoustic system from Sto has been specified for a £7.5 million museum redevelopment project in London. The StoSilent Distance system has been installed in the Garden Museum, which is Britain’s only museum covering the art, history and design of gardens, located at the Church of St Mary-at-Lambeth. “We specified
There are only a few weeks left for architects and specifiers to make their nominations for the internationally recognised biennial GAI/RIBA Architectural Ironmongery Specification Awards. Organised by the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) in conjunction with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), the awards are designed to identify and
A record number of independent merchants are set to take part in the National Buying Group’s annual conference in Liverpool next month. NBG partners, suppliers and special guests will take part in two days of networking, fundraising and celebrations in the sold-out event at Albert Docks on 12-14 November. The
As a society, we seem to be more conscious of our wellbeing than ever before. In all aspects of life, we’re more aware and informed of the things that have an impact on our bodies and minds, and an ongoing stream of new research continues to fuel that fire. Amidst a sea of eye-opening discoveries, architecture and building design stand as two islands of opportunity – and within this field, glazing has proven to be a key influencing factor for progression. Over the past few decades, innovations in our use of glass have been some of the most important developments in the design and construction industries. Facilitating some of the most progressive work in architecture, and opening the door to a whole new avenue of biophilic and sustainable design, glass is helping us build a world geared towards productivity and wellness. Here’s how: Glazing for healthier building design: An area of significant importance to an increasingly large cohort within the field of architecture, wellbeing and design have proven to be symbiotic. We now know that our buildings have a direct impact on how we feel, both physically and mentally, in a number of specific ways. Air quality, acoustics, interior climate, aesthetics, and importantly lighting all have a part to play. This isn’t speculation – specific cells in the hippocampal part of our brains have been identified as directly attuned to our spacial awareness and the geometry of the physical environments in which we spend time. One of the most significant factors in this is the amount of natural light we are exposed to. We now know that our circadian rhythms – our internal ‘body clocks’, are massively impacted by our exposure to natural light. We spend a huge amount of time indoors, and if our buildings are going to galvanise our wellbeing, they need to provide us with plenty of natural light. Several new design and architecture schools and initiatives have emerged, which focus on creating ‘healthy’ buildings that actively contribute to the wellness of their inhabitants. Structural glazing is central to many of these designs, presenting an opportunity for buildings to include literal ‘walls of light’ and flood interior spaces with sunlight throughout the day. With new innovations in silicone bonding, and glass beams now viable as a structural support solution, it’s possible to ‘chain’ glazing installations together, and create entire sections of a building from low-iron glass (which is clearer, with less of the ‘green tinge’ glazing can sometimes suffer from). This means that as things like biophilic design become increasingly popular, it will become increasingly easier to construct buildings that keep our bodies in tune with the outside world. This in turn makes us more productive, attentive, and improves both physical and mental health. Sustainability With new research into the impact of humankind on the environment emerging regularly, few can deny the importance of sustainability in construction. As we build onto the natural world, the multiple ways we can reduce any negative consequences are becoming more apparent, and both our choice of materials – and the way we use them – are two key areas for concern. This is another area in which glass has a big role to play, particularly when it comes to energy efficiency. Windows are typically one of the most significant areas of thermal loss in a building, particularly if those windows are built using dated construction techniques such as single glazing. Even with the emergence of double glazing in the mid 20th Century, the energy efficiency of a home is still usually dictated by its windows – but thankfully new glazing technology is minimising this problem. Triple glazing is now an increasingly viable option, and innovative technology such as ‘low-e glass’ is improving the thermal capabilities of windows, doors, and other glazing solutions. A new era of glazing As we move ever further into the era of integrated ‘smart design’, glass is also becoming an intrinsic part of a new era of building design and construction. With the ‘Internet of Things’ (physical devices and installations working together through wireless online connection) now a popular part of many modern homes and commercial spaces, it isn’t just the smart devices we’re filling our buildings with that are changing the way we live – it’s the buildings themselves Glazing specialists have been working to develop new solutions that can improve the functionality of a building – particularly when it comes to the ways glass can integrate with other ‘smart solutions’ for things including interior climate, and lighting. Glass doors and windows can now integrate with remote electronic control systems, and technology such as switchable glazing means architects and designers can still feature glazing even when privacy is an issue. Glass is also now viable as a construction material in its own right. ‘Structural glazing’ is now an industry standard term, and using toughened glass, entire walls and glass facades can be built that are able to bear weight in their own right. This opens entirely new avenues for conceptual design, and creatively speaking, means architects are able to approach spaces in entirely new ways. Walls aren’t the only installations that benefit from advances in architectural glass technology – glass roofs and even glass floors are now no longer solely the remit of large-scale commercial architecture. As manufacturing and installation techniques improve, even small-scale residential projects can now feature these kind of installations in both practical and aesthetic ways. There have also been leaps forward in the application of glazing for security. As well as long-standing safety features such as lamination and tempering, bullet-proof and even bomb-proof glass can now be used for all kinds of installations.The result is a universally broad spectrum when it comes to the use of glass in architecture: almost any project, of any scope, can use almost any type of glazing, in any solution. Could glass be the future? While the overall functionality of glazing has developed rapidly and undeniably, there are also encouraging signs that glass could be at
A steel manufacturer is aiming to grow its turnover by £1million and create new jobs after securing a substantial grant. Fabweld Steel Products (FSP) was awarded £30,000 from the European Regional Development (ERDF)’s Business Growth Programme as part of an overall £94,500 investment to improve production process and systems at its factory in Telford, Shropshire. FSP, which designs and manufactures fabricated steel access covers and associated drainage products, says the programme of work will result in greater efficiency and manufacturing capacity and should help it win new contracts within the construction industry. That will lead to the creation of five new roles including a sales administrator, laser operator and welder/fabricators. The Enterprise Telford team at the Marches Growth Hub Telford & Wrekin supported FSP in its grant application. The Business Growth Programme is available to businesses across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin and offers grants to small and medium-sized businesses through a range of funding schemes designed to help them grow and target new markets. Managing Director Richard Hilton said the investment was paying for new equipment and the reorganisation of the shop floor. “The previous layout created bottlenecks in production so the restructure will simplify and speed up processes. We will be introducing new handling equipment and increasing our internal storage capacity. “Carrying out this programme of enhancements will give us more capacity to win new contracts and allow us to respond more quickly to customer demands. We are hopeful it will add £1m to our existing turnover within 24 months. “Without the grant funding, we would have had to carry out the work in stages. This wouldn’t have been as effective and would have reduced the opportunities that a quicker production time will bring.” “An increased turnover and market share will ultimately lead to a more sustainable future for the business, our staff and our supply chain,” he added. Mark Shaw, Account Manager for Enterprise Telford, said: “FSP is one of our long standing businesses and we were delighted to be able to help them as they forge ahead with their plans for growth. We look forward to providing continued support for Richard and the team as they realise the benefits from this investment which, importantly, includes the creation of jobs.” FSP has also received a £7,000 grant from the Business Energy Efficiency Programme, which is part-funded by the ERDF. The programme aims to help businesses reduce CO2 emissions through lowering energy consumption, which in turn reduces running costs and improves profitability while increasing environmental awareness. FSP has put the grant towards a £17,000 package of measures which included installing air heat pump systems for office heating, adding demand controls to its welding extract system, upgrading to LED lighting and raising awareness among staff of energy management. Richard said: “We recognise the benefits that improvements in energy efficiency can bring in operational efficiency, working conditions, and profit.”
Donaldson Timber Engineering (DTE), the UK’s leading manufacturer of structural timber components, today (Thursday 1st November) announces the acquisition of Cambridge Roof Truss. The strategic acquisition has an excellent geographic fit with DTE’s present business and will further supplement its existing product offering across Southern and Midlands regions of the UK. Fife-headquartered DTE is the UK’s largest and longest established manufacturer of roof trusses, engineered joists, beams and spandrel panels, with over 30 years’ experience. Adding to the company’s eight manufacturing sites across the UK, this acquisition provides DTE with a unique national distribution network. Established in 2014, Cambridge Roof Truss limited (CRTL) designs, manufactures and supplies roof trusses, joists and spandrel panels to leading housebuilders and construction companies in the UK. The company has built a reputation for being a marketing-led, sales driven business with a renowned customer service ethos, and it is this professionalism and dedication to the client that makes the CRTL team a compelling fit with the DTE family. The Board of Directors at CRTL felt that strategically, the time was right to secure the future of the company, knowing that DTE has the infrastructure needed to continue to satisfy its growing customer base. Jonathan Fellingham, Managing Director at DTE, comments: “The acquisition of Cambridge Roof Truss further extends our reach in the UK, meaning wherever our customers are, we are on their doorstep; providing the best in quality and local service with a national distribution network. It’s a fantastic business, and we’re extremely pleased to be bringing the full team into the DTE family.” Cambridge Roof Truss Managing Director, Jack McMinn, said: “I am very proud of the reputation we have built, and for putting our customers and the service we provide to them at our core. By joining forces with DTE, we can offer a broader set of manufacturing capabilities with the resource and operational experience necessary to fully support our customers.” Sue Mills, Sales & Marketing Director for CRTL, will take on the role of branch manager, leading a team of 29 staff. With an investment plan already in place, the branch can potentially double its production output in the new year. Sue Mills adds: “DTE provides the perfect fit for our business. Our whole ethos of excellent customer service and quality matches well with that of DTE and we will be working hard to ensure that we continue to provide the level of service our customers have become accustomed to. With DTEs sustainability credentials, we couldn’t wish for a better partner.” In practical terms, there will be no changes for clients or suppliers of CRTL. Payment and banking details remain as is.
Donaldson Timber Engineering (DTE), the manufacturer of structural timber components, has expanded its offering with the acquisition of Cambridge Roof Truss. The strategic acquisition will further supplement its existing product offering across Southern and Midlands regions of the UK. “The acquisition of Cambridge Roof Truss further extends our reach in the UK, meaning wherever our customers are, we are on their doorstep; providing the best in quality and local service with a national distribution network. It’s a fantastic business, and we’re extremely pleased to be bringing the full team into the DTE family,” said Jonathan Fellingham, Managing Director of DTE. Fife-based DTE is the UK’s largest and longest established manufacturer of roof trusses, engineered joists, beams and spandrel panels, with over 30 years’ experience. Adding to the company’s eight manufacturing sites across the UK, this acquisition provides DTE with a unique national distribution network. Cambridge Roof Truss Limited (CRTL) was established in 2014 and it designs, manufactures and supplies roof trusses, joists and spandrel panels to leading housebuilders and construction companies in the UK. The company has built a reputation for being a marketing-led, sales driven business with a renowned customer service ethos. “I am very proud of the reputation we have built, and for putting our customers and the service we provide to them at our core. By joining forces with DTE, we can offer a broader set of manufacturing capabilities with the resource and operational experience necessary to fully support our customers,” said Cambridge Roof Truss Managing Director, Jack McMinn. There will be no changes for clients or suppliers of CRTL.
Fixmart Limited, the UK supplier of construction products, has implemented the PODFather System, in order to improve its customer service, productivity, visibility and client communication. With the help of the System, Fixmart’s customer service team will be able to schedule and monitor time-critical deliveries for clients to sites across London and the M25 corridor, straight from the company’s extensive warehousing facility in Kent. “Delivering products that are scheduled to arrive at a construction site are often time-critical with tight delivery windows so there are no delays to a particular phase of work. Failure to meet these can result in possible time and cost implications as well as financial penalties. The PODFather system will ensure that we deliver materials to our customers when they need them and also enable us to optimise our route planning to make the most efficient use of the fleet. It is just one of a number of recent initiatives we have undertaken to help our customers save time and money, maintain a competitive advantage and mitigate risk,” said Carl Ghinn, Managing Director of Fixmart Limited. Improved estimated times of arrival will be communicated to customers when the delivery is en-route with traffic information and delays provided in real-time. The system will also enable Fixmart to evaluate mileage, vehicle weight capacity and to create the most optimal delivery runs within the set time-window requirements of their customers. “Effective route planning should sit at the heart of any logistics team to help ensure the best chance of delivering on customer promises. Fixmart has taken PODFather to provide accurate delivery ETAs to their clients and they now know in advance if these are going to hit the required delivery time window. Electronic proof of delivery documents are sent in real-time back to the office and the customer stating the exact time of delivery, who received it, and where it was delivered,” commented Colin McCreadie, Managing Director of PODFather. Fixmart offers construction related products including fixings, containment, pipe support, brackets and ductwork.
Following the acquisition of Lagan Group by Breedon Group earlier this year, Lagan’s brick, tile and bagged cement products have been rebranded as Breedon. The company manufactures a comprehensive range of concrete roof tiles, clay facing bricks and bagged cement which it supplies to builders’ merchants across the UK and Ireland. This newly-branded range has enhanced the portfolio of specialist building products available through Breedon’s distributor network which also includes a variety of decorative aggregates, concrete products and its famous Welsh Slate. James Cousins, regional director responsible for Breedon’s specialist building products, said: “It’s a very exciting time to be part of Breedon. We’ve spent the last few months getting to know our new colleagues, as well as the products and plants within the group, and the rebranding from Lagan to Breedon demonstrates our commitment to the market to move forward as a single brand, leveraging the strength of the enlarged group to offer our customers high-quality products and the highest level of customer service. “It’s early days but one thing’s for sure: we’ll be continuing to grow and invest in our business in the coming years, with a continuing focus on our customers throughout the UK and Ireland.”
Casters are wheels that can be mounted directly to almost any piece of furniture, cabinetry, or machinery to create versatility within the space. They provide ease of mobility as well as shock absorption and protection from damage to floors and backs. Ergonomic movement of your equipment allows you to safely and easily re-configure living and work spaces for maximum comfort, convenience, or efficiency. The quick roll-out makes cleaning a snap. Storage boxes or cabinets that are ready to roll may be utilized as additional space for a variety of purposes, including seating or additional work surfaces. Equipment that is not being utilized may be rolled out of the way, freeing up the space for other purposes. Finding the right caster for the job is not difficult, but there are many to choose from and getting the right one can be a key factor to optimizing that newfound versatility for your shop or home. You Get What You Pay For Sometimes it doesn’t pay to cut corners, and if you are putting your shop space on wheels, it pays to pay a little extra. The quality of the housing and axle assemblies will reflect the durability of the unit in general. The quality and type of wheel will directly affect the ease of your roll and how long the wheels will hold up under use. A failed wheel assembly can not only result in damage to the item on wheels, but to floors, walls, and potential injury to people involved. Taking the time to find the right casters for the job can save time and money later. Caster Characteristics The load rating is the amount of weight that a wheel is able to maintain on a continuous basis. Load ratings for wheel assemblies are generally listed as light (75 to 200 pounds), medium (200 to 300 pounds), heavy (300 to 500 pounds), and industrial (over 500 pounds), depending on the expected weight of the load. Wheel mechanisms may be locking or free-wheeling, fixed-, or swivel-mounted, single- or dual-wheeled. Locking mechanisms stop rolling or swiveling motion as appropriate for Single- or Double-locking casters, respectively. Wheels may be hard, impact resistant, or pneumatic for maximum shock absorption on uneven or difficult terrain. Wheel attachment designs may include a mounting plate that is screwed or bolted to the bottom of the piece or may consist of a pin or leg that is inserted into a receiver hole. Measurements including the diameter of the wheel, radius of the swivel rotation, and overall height from the base of the flange to the outer edge of the wheel should be considered when calculating spacial requirements. Colson Series 1 wheel sets are an easy way to set your environment rolling. They are available in a variety of sizes and configurations to match the needs of your free-wheeling designs. The zinc plating and raceways that are double hardened provide rugged performance and durability. Colson’s multi-temperature grease will maintain lubrication during extreme temperatures. The Performa wheels are chemical-, thermo-, and weather-resistant. They are non-marking, somewhat cushioning, and quiet on hard surfaces. Proper planning, procuring, and placement can give your life a little versatility with a whole lot of ease.
An acoustic system from Sto has been specified for a £7.5 million museum redevelopment project in London. The StoSilent Distance system has been installed in the Garden Museum, which is Britain’s only museum covering the art, history and design of gardens, located at the Church of St Mary-at-Lambeth. “We specified the StoSilent Distance system for a number of reasons,” explained Alun Jones of Dow Jones Architects. “The building work involved the creation of a cluster of copper-clad pavilions around a cloistered garden area. These house two new educational spaces and a cafeteria, and they are connected by a number of covered walkways. These spaces feature concrete floors and floor-to-ceiling glazing, so in order to achieve an acoustic environment with a reverberation time of less than 0.8 seconds we used a Sto seamless acoustic ceiling. Having used the Sto solution on a previous project we were confident that it would be perfect for the museum, and Sto worked closely with us to create a balanced acoustic system which would satisfy all the different requirements.” The StoSilent Distance system provides a modern, clean, monolithic alternative to the standard options. It is ideal for situations where, as with the Garden Museum, these surfaces must be suspended to accommodate services, and where the ceilings were being used as negative plenums for air extraction and movement. The StoSilent Distance system utilises its own Sto SC400 metal framework, and StoSilent Distance 110 boards. The boards are manufactured from 96% recycled glass and can be integrated with lighting, grills and other M&E considerations. StoSilent boards are permeable, and have a honeycomb-like structure which allows noise and sound to dissipate through a void space and so balance the acoustic environment. StoSilent Distance is a lightweight system, and unlike exposed grid and soft tile alternatives, the boards will not sag or delaminate. It can be used to create many different design features, including seamless, inclined planes or curves, or sharp and consistent joints. The benefit to the architects and end user is that the system can also be repaired and refurbished throughout the lifetime of the building without greatly negating the value of the acoustics, wherever the system has been installed.
There are only a few weeks left for architects and specifiers to make their nominations for the internationally recognised biennial GAI/RIBA Architectural Ironmongery Specification Awards. Organised by the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) in conjunction with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), the awards are designed to identify and reward excellence in the specification of architectural ironmongery. For the 2018/19 awards, projects can be nominated for a ‘Best new product: design and innovation’ category. This award has been created to showcase new ironmongery products, as well as the advancing technologies used within the door and window hardware industry. This category will celebrate products that have been created using new methods of manufacture, or that display new design concepts or originality of thought. This category is not limited to mechanical products. New innovations or technologies in access control, door automation or any field allied to architectural ironmongery could also be submitted. In addition to this new award, projects can be nominated for the following categories: residential; commercial and hospitality buildings; public health and education buildings, and international projects outside the UK and Ireland. Architects, specifiers, building contractors, clients and their architectural ironmongery advisers and suppliers across the world can nominate projects for the 2018/19 awards until Friday 16 November 2018. The projects or products must be either completed or released onto the market between 1 October 2016 and 30 September 2018 to be eligible for entry. “The Specification Awards are unique because they reward the whole specification team. The outstanding design and high quality finishes of the projects nominated highlights the importance of the professional partnership between architects and architectural ironmongers,” said David Stacey, president of the GAI. “We hope the addition of the ‘Best new product: design and innovation’ category will reveal some really interesting products with pioneering ways of using materials to create a new solution or a new design,” he added. For each category there will be a winner, second and third place. The judges will also decide on an overall ‘winner of winners’. At the 2017/18 Specification Awards, this accolade went to Kings Gate, a residential project by architectural ironmongers izé and architect Lynch Architects. A brochure featuring the 2017/18 winning projects can be downloaded from the GAI website. There is no limit on the number of entries to the 2018/19 awards. The first entry from GAI or RIBA members is free of charge.
A record number of independent merchants are set to take part in the National Buying Group’s annual conference in Liverpool next month. NBG partners, suppliers and special guests will take part in two days of networking, fundraising and celebrations in the sold-out event at Albert Docks on 12-14 November. The conference marks the organisation’s 15th anniversary and this year’s theme, Building Stronger Brands, will highlight NBG’s focus on creating lasting relationships throughout the industry. Delegates will have access to an exhibition hosting 165 supplier stands, live demonstrations and the launch of new products. Also taking place will be the Annual General Meeting and Supplier Summit, where keynote speakers will take to the stage and NBG will be making announcements. The gala dinner will see the announcement of the annual NBG Supplier Award winners. Categories include everything from Brand and Account Manager of the Year to awards for each of NBG’s Category Management Teams. This year’s conference will support two great causes, with donations being split between construction industry charity The Rainy-Day Trust and Alder Hey Children’s Charity. The Rainy-Day Trust has been providing support for 175 years through financial assistance, training and counselling for those in the industry. Alder Hey Children’s Hospital care for more than 275,000 patients and their families each year. As a new initiative this year, for every £10,000 of orders placed, NBG will also add £5 to the charity pot, a donation that will be matched by suppliers attending the conference. Fundraising will kick-off with the annual charity football match where partners and suppliers will go head to head. NBG Managing Director Nick Oates said: “We are very much looking forward to welcoming all our partners, suppliers and special guests to the conference once again. It promises to be a fantastic two days, especially with the surprises we have up our sleeve. “We’re especially excited for the charity football match. Last year’s final ended in a draw, so it will be interesting to see who will take the glory this year. “Of course, the main thing is that we’re supporting two fantastic charities that are close to our hearts, so we hope everyone will give generously.”
