Södra has decided to invest in an additional CLT facility at Värö and aims to become a leader in the Nordic region. “Society’s driving forces for reducing greenhouse gas emissions are strong, and the interest in sustainable construction is growing in the market. A higher rate of timber construction
Cibes Lift UK has unveiled its new global rebrand to demonstrate how the company has changed since it was established in the 1940s – as well as hinting at its intentions for future expansion. Its old logo featured a man flexing his muscles, which the company say successfully communicated its former focus on manufacturing
Dulux Trade is reporting a significant shift in buying behavior from trade professionals with sales of water-borne paint up and solvent-borne paints down across the total paint market in 2018. The latest market data to the end of 2018 shows a rise of 13% in the sales of water-borne paint
Vivalda, the UK’s largest distributor and fabricator of architectural cladding systems, has acquired six new ULEZ-busting HGVs to ensure it meets tough new emissions laws due to be introduced in London from April this year. Investing more than £300,000 in five Mercedes Benz Actros 2532L models and a DAF CF330
Any standing structure has to bear a tremendous amount of stress because that’s how gravity works. This gives rise to a fierce competition among researchers and construction firms to collectively step towards alternatives that are not only more durable but also account for increased efficiency. If the material used to
Cembrit was part of the recent redevelopment of the East Stand at Twickenham stadium as it installed its heavy duty board. The major redevelopment project was led by designed and architect KSS, who expanded the stand to offer six floors of stylish event space, including eight brand new facilities delivering a bespoke
A record number of over 400 construction professionals gathered at ExCel, London to celebrate the 2019 Offsite Awards. As one of the most vibrant industry networking events of the year, the Offsite Awards celebrate product and service innovation, engineered by the pioneers who are taking the offsite construction industry to
A range of timber materials has been donated by Södra Wood to support an award-winning timber workshop at London Metropolitan University. The annual award-winning workshop for the School of Architecture takes place in February each year, with Södra serving as a 2019 sponsor. “We’re really pleased to be able to
Bi-fold doors are massively increasing in popularity. Their aesthetically pleasing design has seen them become a must have feature modern homes, and, as the days get longer and lighter, homeowners will no doubt begin to look to their next home improvement in the form of the installation of bi-fold doors.
Tate Consulting engineering firm has been selected to be part of this year’s Parliamentary Review which demonstrates how organisations have become outstanding leaders in their field and aims to raise industry standards. The London and Leeds-based company provides a strategic and innovative approach in delivering a wide range of engineering
Södra has decided to invest in an additional CLT facility at Värö and aims to become a leader in the Nordic region. “Society’s driving forces for reducing greenhouse gas emissions are strong, and the interest in sustainable construction is growing in the market. A higher rate of timber construction is playing a key role in the growing bioeconomy. It is also an important step in our mission to process the wood raw material delivered by our 52,000 forest-owning members,” said Lars Idermark, President and CEO. The development of cross-laminated timber (CLT) for structural building components is about to change the construction market. Industrialisation and prefabrication enable faster on-site installation, and environmental impacts can be halved by using timber frames for the construction of multi-storey buildings instead of other material. Another benefit is that timber is perceived to promote a better indoor climate for residents. Södra Building Systems’ comprehensive offering includes building systems and products such as building components and fasteners, as well as new digital services to simplify and gain better control over the construction process. The focus is on driving the development of timber-based solutions in the construction and residential sectors. “With our technical and digital solutions for both production and finances, we are now creating the conditions for next-generation construction. We will be offering a complete product portfolio to the market, enabling us to grow together with our customers and partners,” said Jörgen Lindquist, President of the Södra Wood business area. The new facility will be established at the combined plant in Värö, where Södra’s first CLT facility has already been co-located with Södra’s pulp mills and sawmills. “Two production lines will create both delivery reliability and flexibility for our customers. Södra’s total production capacity for CLT will eventually be about 140,000 m³ per year, equivalent to 5,000 apartments. We are now creating opportunities to make a climate-conscious choice in the housing market,” said Jörgen Hermansson, President of Södra Building Systems. For further information on Södra Wood, please visit www.sodra.uk
Cibes Lift UK has unveiled its new global rebrand to demonstrate how the company has changed since it was established in the 1940s – as well as hinting at its intentions for future expansion. Its old logo featured a man flexing his muscles, which the company say successfully communicated its former focus on manufacturing goods lifting equipment. But bosses say it didn’t represent the current business offering of providing lift solutions to increase access in buildings across private dwellings and commercial buildings. Gary Sullivan, Head of Sales and Marketing, said: “The strongman logo was a great symbol for Cibes when the company manufactured lifting equipment for the Swedish industry. “Seventy years later, times have changed. Today we are making lift solutions for the different needs of our customers across the world. “Cibes’ new logo combines the simplicity of Scandinavian design with the vertical movement of a lift. “The ascending ‘e’ is a playful allusion to the movement during lift travel – but also a tribute to a company on the up.” The company decided to stick with its trademark orange for recognition and says that the bottom segment of the ‘e’ – which appears at the top of the logo – is to demonstrate the joy of bringing people together through its lifts. Over the past few years Cibes has expanded rapidly into various global markets and within the next five years the Cibes Lift Group – of which Cibes Lift UK is part – aims to grow revenue from €100m to €223m. The new logo is designed by the Dutch company Matisse. It’s been a busy start to 2019 for Cibes Lift UK – another key achievement was gaining two ISO certifications: Health and Safety Management standard ISO 45001:2018 and Environmental Management standard ISO 14001:2015. For more information about installing a Cibes Lift UK lift at your business premises – in a fuss free and efficient way – visit https://www.cibeslift.com/gb/.
Dulux Trade is reporting a significant shift in buying behavior from trade professionals with sales of water-borne paint up and solvent-borne paints down across the total paint market in 2018. The latest market data to the end of 2018 shows a rise of 13% in the sales of water-borne paint year-on-year twinned with a decline in sales of solvent-borne paints by 3%. The surge in sales reflects the significant improvements to water-borne formulations that have been achieved by the research and development teams at manufacturers, including AkzoNobel, as they identify sustainable solutions that don’t compromise on the quality of the finish. “The science and technology behind water-borne paints has come a long way in the last few years. Now, our focus is on upskilling the trade to be able to get the best out of these products when they’re on the job. Commercial specifiers and homeowners are becoming increasingly aware of the sustainable alternatives that are available to them when specifying for a project – this shift is going to continue and the trade needs to be ready,” explained Karen Wilkinson, Dulux Trade Lead at AkzoNobel. The new water-borne formulations are durable, quick drying, none (or less) yellowing, low odour and easy to clean from used brushes and equipment. The shift in market is indicative of the increasing number of specifiers making a switch to specifying water-borne paints to comply with Green Building Standards such as BREEAM, LEED and The Well Building Standard. “Our recently launched water-borne Dulux Trade Diamond Satinwood has great flow and can be applied using a range of techniques including spray, allowing trade professionals to achieve a high quality finish in a fraction of the time. It is also very durable, offering excellent stain and grease resistance, which means it is particularly beneficial for woodwork in high traffic areas such as corridors, stairways and internal doors, and is non-yellowing for long-lasting whiteness, so every job can be finished with brilliance,” added Wilkinson. “We expect sales of water-borne paints to rise again over the next twelve months as product innovation continues with new advances in formulation technology, and more and more specifiers and decorators become aware of the benefits, gaining the confidence to switch to water-borne for good,” she concluded.
Vivalda, the UK’s largest distributor and fabricator of architectural cladding systems, has acquired six new ULEZ-busting HGVs to ensure it meets tough new emissions laws due to be introduced in London from April this year. Investing more than £300,000 in five Mercedes Benz Actros 2532L models and a DAF CF330 truck, the business has acted decisively to ensure unhindered access to sites across the capital. All the vehicles in Vivalda’s new, fully liveried fleet are Euro VI compliant, meaning that they will be exempt from tough new emissions fines levied on all cars, vans and lorries that fail the new Ultra Low Emission Zone standard for central London. Ben Jayes, managing director of Vivalda Group, which also includes the PURA Facades brand, said: “As a responsible business, these new regulations have been on our agenda for some time now, which has enabled us to plan ahead and invest in our new fleet. Obviously, the environment is important to us all, but so is business continuity and maintaining a competitive cost base for our customers. “It is concerning that so few businesses have apparently prepared for the ULEZ in London and similar schemes in other UK cities,” he continued. In fact, a survey carried out by the BVRLA (British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association) last year highlighted the fact that more than half of SMEs in the South East were unaware of the impending low emission laws. Given such timing, this is going to cause many businesses real issues serving customers in London and other affected cities. Vivalda’s new liveried fleet will also futureproof the business from potential fines expected to be levied on polluting vehicles entering other UK cities, such as Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, Derby and Southampton, all of which have been mandated by the Government to introduce Clean Air Zones. Vivalda takes its environmental responsibility seriously, recently introducing a packaging recycling scheme to handle waste from the cladding fabrication process.
Any standing structure has to bear a tremendous amount of stress because that’s how gravity works. This gives rise to a fierce competition among researchers and construction firms to collectively step towards alternatives that are not only more durable but also account for increased efficiency. If the material used to construct your house enables you to save some bucks on the electricity bill, it seems like a no-brainer to adopt such building materials. This article focuses on technical textiles and reasons that pave the way for their impeccable success in the manufacturing industry. Plenty of natural light Buildings utilising textile materials in rooftop construction or walls don’t end up becoming dull unlike those built with opaque building materials. The translucency of fabric allows you to carry out your activities in the room without having to need artificial lighting as these fabrics let most of the natural light pass through them. Along with saving energy bill on illuminating the room, cost of cooling and heating equipment can also be checked as these materials tend to do a fair job in regulating the temperature. Apart from benefitting on the monetary front, you will also observe a hike in productivity as you begin to work under natural lighting conditions. Go well with dynamic plans Various reconfigurations can also be required in some instances and making changes in structures employing traditional building materials not only takes more time but also leaves you with a yard full of junk. Textile materials, on the other hand, provide you with unmatched flexibility that comes handy when you need to bring any modification in the already constructed site. The ability to be reconfigured easily makes these materials suitable for changing requirements. Easily portable Use of textile material is also convenient for the structures that need to be shifted along with being built for a relatively lesser time. This way you don’t have to take down the entire facility in order to again construct from scratch as you can simply relocate the structure and set up at the desired location. Moreover, it isn’t practically feasible to transfer a site that has a substantially enormous weight because of utilising materials like wood, steel or concrete. Fabric materials render versatility to the construction that lets you save on costs that arise during relocation. Require less maintenance Regular wear and tear also account for a considerable amount of sum to be spent so as to keep the structure in robust shape. These maintenance costs are significantly reduced when you decide to go with fabric materials that are not only price effective but also come with immensely low maintenance requirements. Moreover, you can go with several protective coatings that further aim to curb the impact of harmful UV rays to make the most out of your building. Speeds up the construction Textile building materials allow fast construction, thus enabling you to build the structure in relatively lesser time than it would take with traditional counterparts. These materials come with improved durability along with taking considerably fewer man-hours to finish the project. You can achieve the desired strength of the structure without having to delay the time it takes to construct the site when suitable fabric materials are chosen. Takeaway: Advancement in building technology is undoubtedly going to benefit construction companies who can stand various structures in relatively lesser time. However, it is the customer who takes the most significant advantages of improved methods and new materials to maximise the efficiency of any construction project. Any construction company has detailed information regarding the best-suited textile materials for the facility you are planning to work upon. Plagiarism Report:
Cembrit was part of the recent redevelopment of the East Stand at Twickenham stadium as it installed its heavy duty board. The major redevelopment project was led by designed and architect KSS, who expanded the stand to offer six floors of stylish event space, including eight brand new facilities delivering a bespoke hospitality experience for fans. Working on the interior design concept and delivery of the project were Wildfire London. The Cembrit HD heavy board was installed in the British Airways Rose Garden roof terrace on Level 5. The Hayes branch of Minster supplied the board, which is now located in the wings of the facility, as well as on the walls of the adjacent L5 concourse where impact resistance was important as crowds are moving in confined spaces. A lot of the wall finishes in the Rose Garden are also fixed through the Cembrit boards, including the brick slips behind the rotisserie section. “Cembrit’s robust and weather resistant HD boards provided us with flexibility and multipurpose utility in meeting the complex project requirements. Their technical advisors were also helpful and informative in pursuing the goals of the project,” commented Kenji Ikegaya, an architect at the practice. Cembrit HD (Heavy Duty) is a Class A2-s2, d0 fire rated high density building board comprising cement, cellulose and mineral fillers. It is ideal for ‘sealing’ buildings under construction as it is impact resistant and can be left exposed without additional treatment. HD is also extremely versatile and can be used as partitioning and is popular in offsite and SIPS construction as well as internal applications.
A record number of over 400 construction professionals gathered at ExCel, London to celebrate the 2019 Offsite Awards. As one of the most vibrant industry networking events of the year, the Offsite Awards celebrate product and service innovation, engineered by the pioneers who are taking the offsite construction industry to new heights. The Structural Timber Association (STA) is proud to have been announced winner of the Health & Safety Award for the organisation’s Site Safe Policy. The award acknowledges outstanding health and safety disciplines, which empowers and protects construction professionals while enabling healthy onsite environments. Offsite Award judges were impressed by the policy strategy, which is mandatory for all STA members and is independently audited for the reassurance of insurance companies, customers and third-party warranty bodies. The policy stipulates information provision at tender stage and ensures that manufacturing members, suppliers and erectors of structural timber building systems work closely with customers to provide clear, concise information and health and safety guidance on all building sites. Andrew Carpenter, Chief Executive of STA adds: ‘We are delighted to have won such a prestigious award for health and safety in the offsite construction industry. Safety is paramount in manufacturing, and an easily-accessible health and safety policy that’s flexible to different company needs is pivotal to the wellbeing of providers and service users.’ The Site Safety Policy offers stand-out flexibility: the guide is divided into seven key requirements, each of which can be applied in numerous ways to enhance health and safety procedures. This means that members have the freedom to implement the key requirements in ways that suit their business models for easy integration. STA has also recently updated the policy to ensure that that the requirements are flexible and appropriate for all buildings, regardless of size and location. The policy applies to all structural timber building system members, including offsite manufacturers, fabricators, contractors and installers who work with principal contractors. Members are audited to ensure they are achieving the functional requirements of the Site Safe Policy. Both the policy and the audit process have been developed over many years to support members and provide professional building system provider services. By following the policy, members can engage with customers and enable the best project outcomes. The strategy creates a clear distinction in the expected health and safety processes of members and non-members within the offsite manufacturing sector. To find out how STA membership could benefit your company go to: http://www.structuraltimber.co.uk/members/benefits
A range of timber materials has been donated by Södra Wood to support an award-winning timber workshop at London Metropolitan University. The annual award-winning workshop for the School of Architecture takes place in February each year, with Södra serving as a 2019 sponsor. “We’re really pleased to be able to help with this workshop. Timber is something we are passionate about – it is fast becoming the construction material of choice, enabling quick, versatile, efficient and sustainable construction. It’s brilliant to see the future generation of architects working with wood and getting first-hand experience of the many benefits that it has to offer the construction environment,” said Jeremy English, Sales Director at Södra Wood. As part of the workshop, second year undergraduate architecture students travel offsite to Mudchute Park and Farm, where they get to learn more about working with natural construction materials. “Thank you to Södra Wood for sponsoring our workshop this year, it is something the students really enjoy every year. It is a great way for the students to learn how to work with the materials and gain valuable skills needed for their future careers, and it also allows them to fully immerse themselves in working with natural materials. We are pleased to know that our materials this year have come from a really sustainable timber source,” commented George Fereday, Senior Lecturer at The Cass, London Metropolitan University.
Bi-fold doors are massively increasing in popularity. Their aesthetically pleasing design has seen them become a must have feature modern homes, and, as the days get longer and lighter, homeowners will no doubt begin to look to their next home improvement in the form of the installation of bi-fold doors. Studies have shown that the integration of bi-fold doors in a house, is perhaps more important to new buyers than a new kitchen or conservatory! What are bi-fold doors? Bi-folds are a type of door, usually made from aluminium or PVCu panels that are hinged together. Bi-folds usually consist of between two to eight panels, making them versatile and ideal for use wherever a transformation is required. Why are bi-fold doors so desirable and what will they bring to a buildings design? Stylish design – Bi-fold doors are no doubt aesthetically pleasing and their low-profile design, that ensures maximum glazing is achieved certainly contributes to this. The sleek doors are space saving and come in various materials, colours and finishes, to complement the design of most properties. Seamless progression from the inside to the outside – Bi-fold doors allow continual progression from the inside space and the outdoors. On warmer days, fully opening the doors will welcome in the summers breeze and allow the occupants to enjoy the sun. Boost natural daylight – Bi-fold doors, normally installed in kitchens or living spaces, are a fantastic way to flood a room with light. Maximising natural day light is great way to give homeowners their daily Vitamin D fix, benefiting their health. This will contribute to lifting their mood and increasing energy levels. Create a more welcoming and sociable environment – Blending home and garden instantly creates a sociable and welcoming space, giving the feeling of an extra reception room. It’s ideal to have a patio or decking immediately outside the doors, to allow the homeowner and their guests a place to relax and unwind of an evening or host a BBQ on a warm summer’s day. Increase the property’s value – Beneficial both as a developer and a homeowner looking to sell up and move, the installation of designs, like aluminium bi-fold doors from Quickslide are known to increase a property’s value by 5 to 10%. What to look out for when recommending or choosing bi-fold doors? Trusted manufacturer – It goes without saying, but when sourcing bi-fold doors, look for a reputable manufacturer that design around quality and endurance as well as aesthetics. This is really important, as if the doors are of poor quality you put the property at risk of draughts and rain water entering, quicker wear and tear as well as the possibility of the doors being less secure, if poor quality components are used. Energy efficiency – Look to the U-value; the lower the better. Bi-folding doors can offer excellent thermal efficiency, helping homeowners to reduce their energy bills. Weather permeability – Many designs exceed industry set weather standards, offering occupants the peace of mind that the doors will stand up to even stormy weather, and will not be subject to leaks. Security – The government’s building regulations require bi-folding doors to conform to PAS 24 standards in new builds and extensions. Look out for this when selecting bi-fold doors. It’s also recommended that even if replacing existing doors, you choose a bi-fold that has passed the PAS 24 testing. Also, take note at the locking system used, and whether there are options to upgrade to ensure maximum security.
Tate Consulting engineering firm has been selected to be part of this year’s Parliamentary Review which demonstrates how organisations have become outstanding leaders in their field and aims to raise industry standards. The London and Leeds-based company provides a strategic and innovative approach in delivering a wide range of engineering and management consultancy services nationwide. They are one of just 10-15 representatives invited to be part of The Review across a variety of industries nationally. George Osborne, Theresa May, David Cameron and Philip Hammond have all written exclusively for the Review over the last few years, along with many of the nation’s most established business leaders and most talented entrepreneurs. As part of the Review, Tate Consulting submitted a 1000-word article on how they have responded to challenges within the industry, sharing best practice as a template for reform. Across all its policy sectors, The Review is sent out to over half a million individuals each year, including MPs, Peers at the House of Lords, Chief Executives, Vice Presidents, Chief Information Officers, Chief Technology and Procurement Officers. Jeff Bearcroft, Managing Director of Tate Consulting, which is based in Leeds and London said: “We feel very honoured and privileged to represent our industry sector in the Parliamentary Review. It also gives us a platform as industry thought leaders to discuss the challenges we all face and how key policy makers can help implement the changes required.” A spokesperson for the Parliamentary Review said: “The Parliamentary Review is delighted to be working with Tate Consulting on this year’s upcoming publication. Tate Consulting work with many major players across Britain, their contribution will be a highlight for industry leaders and policymakers alike.” The Review will be published in September and Tate Consulting will also be attending the 2019 Gala, hosted by co-chairmen Lord Pickles and Lord Blunkett, where they will get the chance to meet leading executives from a range of industries as well as senior politicians from Westminster’s past and present. Also, notable figures from politics, sport and entertainment attend each year- in the past this has included Tony Blair, Sir Nick Clegg, George Osborne and England Rugby Coach Eddie Jones. Tate Consulting’s portfolio spans every market sector; including logistics, industrial, residential and mixed use, commercial, education, retail and leisure and have secured contracts and joint ventures with some of the biggest commercial brands and large-scale development projects across the country. For more information please visit; www.tateconsulting.eu